Donald Kasten
December 2, 1951 ~ September 28, 2024
Donald Kasten could always be found with a paintbrush.
If he wasn’t making someone’s home beautiful with his special painting techniques and designs, he was sitting in front of an easel, creating colorful landscapes on canvas.
Donald’s life began in Council Grove, Kansas, on December 2, 1951. One of three brothers, there was never a dull moment in the Kasten household or in the small town of Scott City where he grew up. Mix small-town life, endless adventures, and a Pontiac GTO and you get abundant stories-some of which might make your hair stand on end-but Don would insist those were the “good old days.” And indeed, they were.
With an ironic twist of fate, Don ended up moving to Wichita after being offered a job at Cessna Aircraft; and following a blind date, soon found himself married at age 27 to Linda Rivers, even after the priest repeatedly asked him if he had any doubts about making such a commitment. That priest might have been surprised to learn their marriage lasted just short of 46 years.
Becoming a father of three wonderful children, he quickly learned how life can become a whirlwind of activities, job changes, ups and downs, and the end of sleep. He did pass on his artistic talent to his children, especially Cameron. He was always proud of them. Sadly, Don suffered the devastating and painful loss of his youngest son, something no parent should ever have to experience.
Amid having been laid off from Cessna more than once and at the encouragement of his wife, he pursued other job opportunities and eventually became his own self-employed boss in residential and commercial painting, a stint that lasted him until retirement. His wife, however, would argue whether she was really the boss.
Don never let the grass grow under his feet. If he wasn’t working, cooking dinner, or taking care of the kids while Linda worked nights, he was tinkering with his 49 Ford Truck and 1971 Pontiac GTO, making furniture and other woodworking crafts, restoring the family’s historical home, mowing grass and raking leaves, teaching kids how to ride bicycles and play ball, going on summer vacations, enjoying some R&R on cruises, and perhaps the scariest thing he ever did-driving a van in the middle of Paris, France.
If one could cite special traits that best describe Don, it might be that he was a selfless, kind soul, easy-going, always ready to help anyone who needed it, and the kind of person who would have given someone the shirt off his back if he thought that person needed it worse than he did. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.
Eventually, his unfortunate diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and his desire to live in a warmer climate encouraged a move to Houston where his daughter Melissa attended college, married, and stayed. The last few years of his life were blessed with two grandchildren whom he adored and with whom he had the chance to spend quality time before succumbing to his terminal disease on September 28, 2024.
Don is survived by his wife, Linda Kasten; daughter, Melissa (Bradley) McKillop; son, Cameron Kasten; granddaughter, Paige McKillop; grandson, Wyatt McKillop; and brothers, Gerald (Jan) Kasten and Larry (Lynn) Kasten. He was preceded by his son, Christopher Kasten; his father, Carl Kasten; and his mother, Dorothy Kasten.
Perhaps whenever the sky paints a beautiful canvas of color, we can wonder if Don is wielding his heavenly paintbrush across the skies.
We are honored to have known him, will always love him, and will miss him until we meet again.
Rosary will be at 1:00 pm, Funeral Mass will be at 1:30 pm, Friday, October 4, 2024, at the Church of the Magdalen, 12626 E. 21st St. North, Wichita, Kansas 67206.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Parkinson’s Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online at https://www.michaeljfox.org
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Throughout the years Don painted the entirety of my house. I often visited with him while he was on a ladder. He was a talented man with a paint brush whether it was on a wall or a canvas. It is with great sadness that he had to endure Parkinson’s. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Sandra Rowe Campbell