Richard Kasten

Richard Lowell Kasten, 82, Weston, died Wednesday, August 14, 2013 at the Hospice House, Wausau under the care of Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice Services.

Rich was born November 21, 1930 in Wausau to the late Carl and Enid (Cottrell) Kasten. He served his country during the Korean War in the US Air Force as a B29 tailgunner in the 98th Bomb Squadron. After being honorably discharged, Rich worked for Benson Optical for a few years before he returned to the Air Force Reserves for the next 22 years. Rich married Shirley Beyer in Wausau. Following his Air Force career, Rich worked for the US Post Office as the 544 maintenance supervisor until his retirement. Throughout his life, he was an active member of St. Stephen Lutheran Church; serving on the church council, as an usher and on the Property Committee. Rich enjoyed fishing, woodworking, camping, traveling the US and world and going on cruises with his family. He put his woodworking knowledge to good use working on Habitat for Humanity building projects.

Rich is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley; children, Sheryl (Jeffrey) Samse, Keith (Paula) Kasten, Jeffrey Kasten, Gary (Debbie) Kasten and Craig (Mona) Kasten; grandchildren, Bridget (Ryan) Friberg, Michelle (Byran) Schueller, Rachel Kasten, Andrew Kasten, Benjamin Kasten and Lucas Kasten; step-grandchildren, MacKenzie and Jessica Kuivanen, great-grandchildren, Samantha and Annika Schueller; sister, Luetta Webster; niece and nephews, Donald (Debra)
Webster, Michael (MaryAnne) Webster, Kenneth (Laralynn) Webster, Anne (Terry) Sullivan and Daniel Webster; and extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Robin Kasten; granddaughter, Karrisa Kasten; brother, Harvey Kasten and brother-in-law, Howard Webster.

Services will be 11:30 AM on Tuesday, August 20th at St. Stephen Lutheran Church, Wausau. Reverend Gary Froseth will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until the time of services on Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow the service at Pine Grove Cemetery with military honors rendered by VFW Burns Post #388 and US Air Force representatives.

Helke Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements; you may sign our family guestbook at www.helke.com.

The Family would like to thank the special girls at NCHC who took care of Rich during his stay. We would also like to thank Aspirus Comfort Care and Hospice. All of you are Very Special.