John Keith Carstedt, age 79, passed away on November 28, 2024, in Round Rock, Texas with Dementia, which he was diagnosed with in 2015. John was born as an only child on February 18, 1945, in Grundy Center, Iowa, to Keith Merl Carstedt and Zorah Marietta Abbott.

John graduated from Beaman-Conrad High School in 1963 and earned a degree in Mathematics from Iowa State University in 1968. During his sophomore year of college, he married his high school sweetheart, Maxine McKibben, and they welcomed their daughter, Nicola, in 1968. The family then moved to Stillwater, Minnesota where John worked for Control Data Corporation and their youngest daughter, Jennifer, was born in 1971.

John began his career in the technology industry working on a project at the University of Illinois that would be recognized as the first internal email system. He held 3 patents, all technology related. John and Maxine moved to Round Rock, Texas in 1984, while he was working for Carroll Touch, Inc. Five years later, they divorced and John found love again when he met Patty Conner, whom he married in 1994. He continued to work as a software engineer and in technology sales before retiring in 2015 from EMC.

John had a contagious passion for life. He enjoyed all sports, especially Longhorn football, and was proud to coach his daughters’ sports activities early in their lives. He craved potato chips and wine on the beach and could eat his weight in chocolate mousse. He had a not-so-secret crush on Meg Ryan and, as a young man, wanted to be a veterinarian. His favorite book was “All Creatures Great and Small” by James Herriott and he had a special place in his heart for his precious Kaja and Kayla. John was known to be the first at the party and the last to leave and was always on the lookout for the opportunity to serve up a good-natured prank. He cherished his trips to 14 countries, particularly to South Africa and Vietnam. Golf became a beloved pastime later in life, despite John joking in his 40s that he would only play golf once he was too old for “a real sport.” He treasured his 50+-year friendships with Harvey, Janice, Steve, Karen, and B. David as well as his more recent friendships with his “real sport buddies,” Marvin, Sheryl, Leary and Bob. John had a strong sense of right and wrong and saw the inherent goodness in everyone. Those loved by him knew they were loved.

John is survived by his wife and best friend of 35 years, Patty Conner; his daughter, Nicola Pribyl (William); his grandsons, Michael (Mimi) and Nicholas (Valerie); his granddaughter, Kaytlyn (Carter); his great-grandsons, Ever and Klayden; his great-granddaughter, Cailey; and a great-grandchild due in June. He is also survived by his nephews Charles (Nicole), Cody (Michelle), and Chad; his great nieces Hailey, Zoe, and Scarlett, and his great nephews Isaac and Skylar. He was preceded in death by his parents, Keith and Zorah Carstedt, and his daughter, Jennifer Carstedt.

John will be deeply missed by all who knew him for his loving, mischievous, loyal, and fun nature. His spirit will live on in the memories of those he cherished and in the lives he touched.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Heavenly Care Home Health, Town Square NW Austin, and The Cottages at Chandler Creek for their compassionate care during John's long journey with dementia.

There will not be a public service. In honor of John’s memory, the family invites friends and loved ones to share their condolences through online messages at [website]. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in John’s memory to First Tee Austin, a favorite animal rescue group, or Hope Alliance Crisis Center in Round Rock.