Carsten A. Gosen

After a long and fulfilling life, Carsten A. Gosen (Cart) passed away on July 29, 2025, at the grand age of 102. Cart was born on May 28, 1923, in Kochville Township, MI to the late Frederick Gosen, Sr. and Lena (Cammin) Gosen.

During the Great Depression his family moved to Spaulding Township where they bought virgin soil in the Little Prairie. This was the beginning of many happy memories for Cart. His father taught him the skills he would need to become a successful farmer and at home he took joy in listening to the church radio with his mom or hearing his grandmother, Sophia Gosen, tell him and his brother, Buck, bedtime stories.

In 1943, when Cart was 19 years old, he enlisted in the Army as part of the 6834th Rearmament Regiment as a tank engine mechanic and proudly served his country in North Africa and Marseille, France during World War II. He earned the EAME Ribbon with 3 Bronze stars; a Good Conduct Medal; and a Victory Medal. While serving in France he would sell his cigarette rations to French soldiers he worked with and send home the profits to his mom so he could one day build his own home. In 1945, after VE Day, Cart and his best buddy, Bernie Novak, got leave to celebrate. Together they went to Paris, where they popped a bottle of champagne and toasted the Allied victory on the Eiffel Tower. Cart brought that champagne cork home, because it was one of his most treasured memories from the war.

After his return from the war, he met Ruth Schramke on a double date. Although they weren’t each other’s date, sparks flew between the two of them and they quickly fell in love and were married on October 26, 1946, in Saginaw, MI. With the help of Ruth’s father, Clarence Schramke, they built a home in Spaulding Township. There they started their family and farm which abundantly grew to six children and 500 acres of land, including 280 acres that is now part of the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Cart was the last remaining Charter Member of the Spaulding Township Fire Department.

In the 1970’s Cart and Ruth moved their farm operation to James Township and eventually bought the “Hart Farm” in 1980, where he grew corn, soybeans, and for a time, sugar beets. Cart and Ruth were heavily involved in the farming community, with Cart serving on both the Michigan Soybean Association Board and the Michigan Sugar Growers’ Board, and both were named Farm Managers of the Year in 1983 by Michigan State University. With dedication and determination Cart took his 8th grade education and turned it into one of the most well-known reputable farms in Saginaw County.

While farming was the cornerstone of their life, Cart and Ruth loved to bowl and play cards with friends in their free time. You could also catch them traveling as a family with their Winnebago or car packed full of kids and grandkids. Their marriage was full of 74 years worth of everlasting memories together before Ruth predeceased Cart in 2021. Since then, not a day has gone by where Cart has not said how much he missed his “Ruthie.”

One of his proudest recent accomplishments was driving his 1961 John Deere 2010 tractor across the Mackinac Bridge during the Antique Tractor Crossing in 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2024 – when he became the oldest person ever to do so. He shared the moment with many family members by his side, cheering him on.

Cart will be remembered by all as a colorful storyteller, always welcoming friends and family into his home so he could share stories about the memories he cherished most. One of the questions he got asked the most was what was his secret for such a long life? His answer was, “Work hard and have a shot of Crown Royal every day!”

Cart leaves a long and lasting legacy with his 6 children: Joseph (Theresa) Gosen of Saginaw; Shirley (Dan) Dabakey of Byron Center; Carsten D. Gosen of Saginaw; James (Carolyn) Gosen of Saginaw; Mary (Steve) DeMaet of Zeeland; and Carol (Kevin) Zedaker of Hemlock; 18 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren (with 2 more on the way); brother-in-law, Kenneth Schramke, of Saginaw; many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Cart was also preceded in death by one sister and seven brothers: Norman Gosen; Ruth (Louis) Zeilinger; Ralph (Anna) Gosen; Frederick “Fritz” (Helen) Gosen; Raymond (Grace) Gosen; Russell Gosen; Harvey (Pauline) Gosen; and Calvin “Buck” (Vivian) Gosen.

Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 4, 2025, at Holy Spirit Parish, 1035 N. River Road. Rev. Fr. Peter J. Gaspeny will officiate. Rite of Committal will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the W.L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 201 N. Miller Road on Sunday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Monday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, church, or through www.casefuneralhome.com.