Sven Carstensen

Sven Carstensen, 50, of Hartland, WI passed away on November 3, 2021 after a courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born on October 29, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois to Guenter and Christina Carstensen. In 1973, Sven’s parents, along with his uncle and aunt, bought a dairy farm and moved both families to Gresham, Wisconsin. The farm, named Spring Valley Dairy Farm, was perched on the shores of Mission Lake and was the best place a kid could grow up, along with his sister Michelle and cousins Johnny and Elona. Sven loved working on the farm, caring for the animals and operating field equipment. This experience helped form a tremendous work-ethic that led him to successes throughout his life. But when the work day was done, fishing and swimming in Mission Lake jump started his lifelong passion for the outdoors and exploring new places.

Sven attended Gresham School from kindergarten through high school, graduating in 1989. After high school, he attended St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wisconsin and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1993. He then moved to Houghton, Michigan to attend Michigan Technological University and completed a Master of Science degree in chemistry in 1995. He entered the workforce as a formulating chemist with Plast-O-Meric Inc. in Waukesha, Wisconsin and would enjoy that job for 6 years before the company changed hands. He switched gears and took a position in chemical sales with Columbus Chemical Industries (Columbus, Wisconsin) and found his niche. He managed sales accounts across the U.S and traveled to many states to create new business and solidify customer relations over the next 20 years, earning the title of Senior Account Executive. Sven’s drive and insatiable work ethic kept him working throughout his illness, to the amazement of his colleagues and family.

Sven loved fishing and hunting with family and friends. He became an avid archery hunter and enjoyed many hours in a deer stand, waiting for big bucks to come in range and enjoying the peace of time spent in the woods. He also liked bird hunting, especially with a pointing dog. Sven bought his first Harley Davidson motorcycle in his early 20’s, and continued this passion for bikes throughout his life, taking numerous trips across the country with wonderful groups of friends. Sven’s mother bought him his first guitar at age 7, and music would be a central focus throughout his life. Classic country was his favorite, leading to time spent as a picker with the Cathouse Drifters, and endless hours of spinning vinyl records of his outlaw country heroes.

After a long search to find true love, Sven met the love of his life and soulmate Wendy Weyker. Sven and Wendy were married at Weyker Lake, in Saukville, WI on August 29, 2015. Together they shared a love of dogs, a Clydesdale horse named Waylon, motorcycle riding, travel, and most of all spending time with each other and friends and family. Their love and total devotion for each other was infectious to those around them and lifted our spirits to believe that love can conquer all.

Sven is survived by his wife Wendy (Weyker) of Hartland, WI; parents Guenter and Christina (Schoblocher) Carstensen of Shawano, WI; sister Michelle (Marshall Deters) Carstensen of North Branch, MN; special uncle and aunt John and Ulla Schoblocher of Shawano WI; double-first cousins John Schoblocher of Rhinelander, WI and Elona (Grant) Winslow of DePere, WI; father and mother-in-law Bob and Elaine Weyker; sisters-in-law Becky (Joel) Buschmann, Amy (Justin) Keidl, Dawn (Jeff) Hamill; and wonderful nieces, nephews, and cousins in the US and Germany and a countless number of friends. Sven was preceded in death by his grandparents Matthias and Rosalia Schoblocher, Carl and Wilhelmina Carstensen, and beloved dogs Joker, Scout and Duke.

A memorial event and celebration of Sven’s life will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 from 1:00-3:00pm at the farm owned by beloved friends Todd and Kristin Lindblom, N9423 Green Valley Road, Ixonia, WI. This will be an outdoor event, so folks in attendance are encouraged to dress appropriately. A dedication service will begin at 1:00pm, and people should arrive at least 30 minutes prior to allow for parking and a short walk to the site.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, donations can be made to the Humane Society of Wisconsin: https://www.wihumane.org/