NORTHFIELD­–Gary Kasten, 87, entered into the mysterious beauty of the next life on Friday, March 14, 2025, surrounded by his family at home in Northfield.

Gary Dell Kasten was born in rural Spring Valley on April 18, 1937, to Delbert and Esther (Dornink) Kasten. He was raised on a farm in rural Austin. He graduated from Spring Valley High School in 1955 where he lived with his “Gram” Kasten during his teenage years. After business school, he worked for the Great Northern Railroad in Willmar and Chicago. He later graduated from Central College with a History major and United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities. He was ordained into the ministry of the United Church of Christ at Zwingli UCC in Berne in 1963.

He married Kathleen Schlappe June 15, 1962, at Zwingli UCC. They raised their family in Lester Prairie and New Ulm while he served churches in those communities. In 1994, they moved to Faribault where he served the Congregational UCC until his retirement in 2001. They moved to their current home in Northfield in 2020.

Gary had a generous spirit and was committed to serving others, as reflected by the many boards he served on and awards he received: Executive of the Year, The New Ulm Human Rights Award, founder and board member of New Ulm Dinners for Shut-Ins, Chair of the Faribault Diversity Coalition, District One Hospital Board, Faribault Art Center (Paradise Center for the Arts), teaching English to and advocating for the Somali Community in Faribault.

For decades, Gary and Kathy were involved in the Turkish Scarf Project (a mission supporting widows in Turkey by selling their handmade scarves) and supported a student in Guatemala through Common Hope. They also hosted several exchange students and did extensive traveling, both in the U.S. and Europe. For the past 22 summers, he treasured a week at a resort in Wisconsin with Kathy and his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed staying busy with “projects” such as gardening, restoring a log house, framing pictures and refinishing furniture.

Gary had an exuberance for life that was a joy to witness whether it was on the floor playing with his grandchildren, entertaining family and friends with his embellished storytelling, or jumping up with joy to greet visitors. His warmth and genuine interest in people endeared him to many.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy; son, Philip, of Northfield; daughter Alissa (Joel) Muscatello of Maple Grove; grandchildren Elsa Kasten, Max Kasten, Jens Kasten, Eva Muscatello, Leah Muscatello, Nadia Muscatello, Barbara (Rob) Long; great grandchildren, Ada, Ash and Asa Long; brothers Keith (Lavonne) and David of Leroy; sister-in-laws Lorraine Reiter of Fairmont and Susan Kasten of Texas, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Lorna Taylor, brother Dan Kasten, and sister-in-law Mavis Kyllo.

Memorials may be given to First United Church of Christ, Northfield firstucc.org, Minnesota Conference United Church of Christ uccmn.org, or Common Hope commonhope.org

Celebration of his Life will be at First United Church of Christ, Northfield on Palm Sunday April 13, 2025. Visitation at the church begins at 1 PM with Funeral at 2 PM (YouTube Gary Kasten Memorial Service), followed by a reception. Interment will follow at the Berne Cemetery.

Arrangements are with the Bierman, Benson & Langehough Funeral Home & Crematory. www.northfieldfuneral.com

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