Donna D Kastanek

Donna D. Kastanek was born on August 21st, 1931, in Staples, MN. The daughter of Werley L. and Myrtle P. (Roche)Hagenson. She grew to womanhood in the rural Staples area. She attended rural District #36 graduating from the 8th grade in 1945, Staples High School in 1949, and Staples Teacher training in 1950. She married George J. Kastanek on June 6th, 1955, at the Staples Methodist Church. She moved to Brainerd and lived in that area until May of 2023, when she moved back to the Staples area to be closer to her niece Joanne and family. She was a graduate of St. Cloud University. She taught in rural schools in Todd and Crow Wing counties. She was a 5th grade teacher at Lowell Elementary School in Brainerd for 31 years. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, playing cards, and board games.

She is survived by a niece, Joanne (Jerald) Carpenter; great nephew, Jason (Kayla) Carpenter; great nieces, Jolene (Brad) King, Jill (Tony) Carpenter; great great nephews, Jacob, Charles, Caedin, Brody and Wyatt; great great nieces, Gabrielle, Danielle, Alison, Mariah, Kylie and Madison; great great great nephew, Lukas and great great great niece, Cynthia; and a host of friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, George; her parents; her brother, Dick; and a great great nephew, Bentley.

Services for Donna will be held at 11:00AM Monday, March 31, 2025, at the Staples Methodist Church with Pastor Dan Crocker officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service also at the church. Interment will be at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.

Caring for Donna and her family

Taylor Funeral Home of Staples