Hillery Kasten
Hillery Robert Kasten, 87, of Eitzen, MN died Friday, April 20, 2018 at Gundersen Health Center in La Crosse, WI surrounded by his family. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 25 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eitzen, MN. Rev. Todd Krueger will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors by the Loveless-Eikens American Legion Post 191 of Caledonia and the United States Air Force Funeral Honor Guard. A visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24 and from 10 a.m. until the time of service Wednesday, both at the church.
Hillery was born March 21, 1931 in Dorchester to Arthur and Adeline (Welper) Kasten. He enlisted in the Air Force and proudly served his country. He was deeply honored to take part in the Freedom Honor Flight in 2015.
January 29, 1960, he married Lila Dehning of Dorchester. Hillery worked doing road construction, first in Iowa and for most of his career in Wisconsin. He was a proud member of the Operating Engineers Union Local 139 and Operating Engineers Union Local 139 Retirees of La Crosse, WI. He was a lifelong member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Eitzen, MN. Hillery took great pride in the care of his lawn and garden. He loved to fix and work on projects. He also enjoyed many years of traveling with his wife after his retirement.
Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Lila; a son, Richard (Sue) of Eitzen, MN; a daughter, Karen (Eric) Ness of Caledonia, MN; eight grandchildren, Seth, Zachary, Clare and Jed Kasten and Alyvia, Maria, Garrett and Grant Ness; one sister, Delores Fetketter of Spring Grove, MN; and one sister-in-law, Patricia Kasten of La Crescent, MN.
He is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Marlin (Violet), Leslie (Adeline), Gailard (Shelby) and Paul; a sister, Ruth (Dawson) Ashbacher; and a brother-in-law, Charles Fetketter.
Jandt-Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent at www.jandtfredrickson.com.
