George H. Kastenschmidt

George H. Kastenschmidt, age 85, of La Crescent, MN, passed away on Friday, December 22, 2023, at Mayo Clinic Health System in Sparta, WI. George was born in La Crosse County to Clarence and Emma (Storandt) Kastenschmidt on July 25, 1938. He was the sixth of nine children and the first boy. He graduated from Central High School in La Crosse before enlisting in the United States Air Force. On July 1, 1958, Goerge married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Veglahn, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crescent. Together they had two sons, Dean and Doug, and were married for 65 years.

George started his working career as a repairman for NCR, National Cash Register. He spent 15 years at NCR before switching to factory work which he did for several different companies. He was a true mechanic, always needing to work with his hands. He was a member at St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Winona for 47 years and has been a member at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crescent for the past 4 years.

George is survived by his wife, Joyce; sons, Dean (Jean) Kastenschmidt and Douglas (Kristine) Kastenschmidt; grandchildren, Neil Kastenschmidt, Sean (Amber) Kastenschmidt, Kyle Kastenschmidt, Shane (Megan) Kastenschmidt, Dan (Alicia) Suessmith, and Bobbie Suessmith; great grandchildren, Temperance, Kolter, Mara, and Madalyn Kastenschmidt, Cohen and Grayson Suessmith; sister, Judy Draeger; sister-in-law, Elaine (Paul) Klankowski; and many nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Emma; in-laws, Arthur and Meta Veglahn; siblings, Phylis (Lloyd) Kasten, Jesse (Calvin) West, Lois (Sherman) Barton, Dorthy (Ben) Evenson, Betty (James) Holberg, Karyl (Jim) Draeger, and Claire Kastenschmidt; sister-in-law, Shirley (Maynard) Hesse.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, January 6, 2023, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crescent, 414 Main St, La Crescent, MN 55947. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the funeral. Pastor Mark Rieke will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and can be made to First Evangelical Lutheran Church in La Crescent.