Lt. Jason Lee Carstens was brought home in a sentimental and emotional procession from Chippewa County International Airport in Kinross Tuesday evening.
He passed away from a cardiac episode while vacationing with family in Colorado on Sept. 8, 2024. He was 47 years old. He was born Sept. 30, 1976,
First responders from across the area met Lt. Carstens, and his family, at the airport before proceeding to the Sault Ste. Marie City Fire Department via I-75 to Bus. I-75 to downtown.
People lined the route showing support and respect for the fallen first responder.
Visitation will be held at Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church at 320 E. Portage Ave. in Sault Ste. Marie Tues. Sept. 24 from 9am-11am. Funeral service will follow at 11 a.m.
The full text of his obituary follows:
Jason Lee Carstens, 47, passed away during a cardiac medical emergency on Sept. 8, 2024, while on an elk hunt in Colorado with his family.
He was born Sept. 30, 1976 in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, to Ken and Katherine (Dunkelberg) Carstens, and grew up in East Lansing, Mich., where he played football for East Lansing High School.
Jason was instilled with a love for the outdoors at an early age, fueled by time spent at the family cabin near Glen Arbor. He found fellow hunters, fishermen and trappers during his time studying fire science at Lake Superior State University. Upon graduation, Jason served with the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Dept., where he advanced to the rank of first lieutenant. Firefighter Jason, known as “Trapper,” because of his outdoor pursuits, was a certified paramedic and the fire investigator for Sault Ste. Marie. He hoped to pursue his fire investigation interests upon retirement.
Jason married Emily Bennette of Sault Ste. Marie on Aug. 13, 2011, at Holy Name of Mary Parish in Sault Ste. Marie. The couple has two daughters, Brynn and Mia, and the entire family lived a life outdoors, from keeping horses and raising livestock for the Chippewa County Fair, to hunting and fishing. Both girls shot their first deer before they were nine years old at their family camp on Drummond Island, and anyone who followed Jason on social media knew of the girls’ prowess with fly rods. Jason’s passion for fishing grew into the establishment of his side business, True North Guide Service, where he introduced many newbies and longtime anglers to the beauty of fly fishing. A friend to anyone he met, he was known throughout the state and beyond for his expertise and love of fishing.
Jason leaves a great void in the community. He is survived by Emily, Brynn and Mia; his father, Ken Carstens, Murray, Ky.; a brother, Jameson (Amber), Murray, Ky.; Emily’s parents, Dean and Julie Bennette, Sault Ste. Marie; sister-in-law Lindy (Shawn Campbell), Sault Ste. Marie; his brother-in-law Walter (Ashley), Rome, NY; and many uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews, and a long list of friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Katherine; maternal grandparents, Henry and Rosemary Dunkelberg, and paternal grandparents, Calvin and Dorothy Carstens.
Funeral services for Jason will be on Sept. 24 at Holy Name of Mary Parish in Sault Ste. Marie, with Rev. Allen Mott officiating. Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m., and funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery. A luncheon will follow after burial at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 2755 Ashmun St., Sault Ste. Marie.
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is an updated version of the story with updated obituary information.
