Carstens, Claus F.
The morning of Wednesday, October 29, 2025, our wonderful husband and father, Claus, passed away after a very brief period of illness due to cancer.
Our family had recently gathered to celebrate his 71st birthday at the end of September, just after mom and dad’s 49th wedding anniversary. Dad started October seemingly healthy by golfing, curling, and working on the farm with mom. Doing all of the things he loved and spending time with all of us, including his four grandchildren.
Claus was a good and kind man, he loved to talk about his family, the farm, sports, and how to fix just about anything. He had a dry sense of humour that came out so often to make us laugh.
Claus was a first-generation Canadian, born and raised in Ottawa, ON, with his two sisters. They spent their summers at their Oma and Opa’s cottage house by the lake near Ladysmith, QC, where he and mom crossed paths until they finally started dating in their late teens. Eventually marrying in 1976 and not long after buying a farm – a shared dream – in Lanark County outside of Almonte.
His love for working with his hands and fixing things turned into the vocation of major appliance repair. When the company he worked for in Ottawa went bankrupt, dad took the opportunity to go into business himself in 1981. Mom officially joined him in 1991 as a business partner as she took care of the administrative side of things, and also assisted him on service calls on occasion. Carstens Appliance Service was well regarded across the region. Growing up, it felt like everyone knew our dad and he was a welcomed sight at people’s doors when an appliance was not working. When dad and mom retired in 2020, it did not go unnoticed after nearly 40 years of service.
Yet, in retirement, he was busier than ever fixing up the farm with his saw mill, golfing, curling, helping maintain the local church and cemetery in Rosetta, being a constant friend and neighbour to many, walking the property with mom looking for the cows, and helping us as our own families grew.
We are so lucky and proud to have been your daughters, dad. We can only try to keep living up to the gold standard that you and mom set. We see so much of you in ourselves and in our boys and are grateful to know that you will live on in us.
Forever the beloved husband and best friend of Audrey (nee Krose). Proud and loved father of Pamela (Josh McElheran) and Iris (Tyler Fawcett). Dear Opa to Owen and Henry McElheran, also Chase and Jake Fawcett. Cherished brother of Rose Carstens (Andres Gurumeta) and Iriss Gibbons (the late Jim) and brother-in-law of Brent (Lynda) Krose and Bev Diotte. Predeceased by his parents C. Waldemar and Lieselotte (nee Rosinski) Carstens, granddaughter Jordan, and in-laws Clifford and Velma Krose. Remembered fondly by his nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Donations in memory of Claus may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation or the Ottawa General Hospital Foundation.
Family and friends may visit
C.R. Gamble Funeral Home & Chapel Inc. (127 Church St., Almonte, ON. 613-256-3313)
on November 14, 2025, from 5-8 p.m.
Condolences & Tributes: www.crgamble.com
