Jason Lee Carstens

Jason Lee Carstens, oldest son of Dr. Kenneth C. Carstens of Murray, Ky., and the late Katherine Ann (Dunkelberg) Carstens of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan (The Soo), passed away while on an elk hunt with his family near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jason was born September 30, 1976 and passed away from a cardiac episode while in the beautiful, but isolated, mountains of Colorado on September 8, 2024. He was only 47 years old.
Jason is survived by his wife, Emily Bennette Carstens and their two children, Brynn and Mia, ages 11 and 9, who reside in The Soo, and his younger brother, Jameson Carstens and wife Amber of Murray, Kentucky. Also surviving Jason are Dean and Julie Bennette, Jason’s father- and mother- in-law of Sault Ste. Marie, brother-in-law, Walter and wife Amber, of Rome, New York, and sister-in-law Lindsay Bennette Campbell and husband Shawn Campbell and family of Sault Ste. Marie, as well as many, many friends throughout Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, including his brotherhood of firemen at The Soo’s Fire Station 1, and many cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews, and nieces.
Jason majored in Fire Science at Lake Superior State University. He worked his way up to the rank of 1st Lt. for Firehouse 1, where he was second in command and was looking forward to his retirement in mid-2026. He was also a licensed paramedic, ambulance driver, and he had recently taken over the duties and responsibilities as Chief Fire Investigator for Chippewa County, one of Michigan’s largest counties after receiving additional intensive forensic fire science schooling in Lansing, Michigan. He also owned and operated True North Guide Service, a fishing guide service that specialized in various species of trout, salmon, and whitefish, and he was a regular guest on the syndicated Mike Avery Michigan Outdoors radio show. He was considered the regional fishing expert for the Soo area, and Mr. Avery frequently sought Jason’s knowledge for Mike’s national radio audience.
Jason, Emily, and their two daughters lived on their 11-horse, horse ranch near Brimley, just southwest of the City of Sault Ste. Marie, and attended Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church in The Soo, one of the oldest churches in all of North America.
Jason’s funeral and memorial service, with honors, will be September 24th at 11am following the 9 to 11 am visitation. Donations in Jason’s memory may be made to the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Station, 123 Ridge Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783, or the Murray, Ky Wrangler’s Riding Club (423 Rieman Rd., Murray, KY 42071).