Sentinel Class Of 1974 Spartan Of The Month

May 2021

Deborah Johnson Carstensen

                                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sentinel Class of 1974's spotlight for May 2021 is on Deb Johnson Carstensen.  Thanks to Deb for allowing us to highlight her life.  Deb is an adventerous woman who lets no grass grow under her feet.  Deb is a wife, mother, friend, entrepreneur, educator, outdoor enthusiast and most notably Martha Stewart of Montana!  

In Deb's own words the lessons she learned from her mom and continues to live by are; "If you don't ask the question, the answer is no."  "Don't take yourself too seriously".  Deb continues to ask a lot of questions and continues to laugh at herself.

Deb attended Lewis and Clark grade school and obviously Deb graduated from Sentinel High School in 1974. Deb went on to receive her Master's Degree in Curriculum Development and taught a variety of class levels at The University of Montana.  Deb is not quite sure how she was able to obtain her degree because of spending too many hours of being involved in the lives of Days of Our Lives in a friend's dorm room instead of attending classes.

Deb married her best friend and love of her life Andy in 1983.  Andy is an Exploration Geologist and they have been lucky to travel the world with son, Ben.  Ben is an architectural designer and lives on the San Juan Islands with his two dogs, Bruce and Roy.  Deb and Andy live in the Swan Valley and share their Swan Valley ranch with their family of rescue dogs, seasonal elk and deer and the occasional grizzly bear.  Deb happily retired to become a vinter and then a ranch hand.  Deb and Andy visit their son Ben at his beautiful home on the San Juan Islands regularly.

According to Deb her notable life achievements is being a semi professional shower singer!  Most notably Deb can make a Costco fruit try look like Martha Stewart threw it together.

Deb would like to accomplish becoming a back up dancer for Bruno Mars, rescue as many dogs as can fit on 100 acres and continue to advocate for animal rights, social equality and the health of our planet before she takes the big nap!

If you live in the Missoula area or are going to be visiting the Missoula area, take a drive to the beautiful Swan Valley and visit Oro Ranch.  You will be so glad you did.  You will experience Deb and Andy's heaven here on earth.  Oro Ranch is a serene and calming place to be and I am sure the Carstensen's would be glad to show you their piece of heaven.  

The following pictures are from the Oro Ranch in the Swan Valley.  Send Deb a note if you are in the area, get reacquainted and say hello.

Thanks Deb for sharing your fun, adventureous, and beautiful life.

 

Deb and Andy's son Ben

Da Bears at Oro Ranch Swan Valley

Elk Herd at Oro Ranch Swan Valley

Stillwater View Oro Ranch

Swan Range