Obituary of Mary A. Kasten
Mary A. Kasten
Mary A. Kasten took the hand of our Lord on December 26, 2018, with her family and friends surrounding her.
Mary was born in Joliet, Illinois on December 18, 1943 to George and Matilda Rimbo. She was the oldest of four daughters and adored her sisters: Kathy, Diane and Lori. She attended St. Alphonsus Catholic Grade School and graduated from Lemont High School. While working as an activity therapist at St. Joseph’s Hospital she met the love of her life, Bill Kasten. They were married on June 4, 1970. Bill adopted her three sons, David, Michael and Eric from a previous marriage and together, in the spring of 1971 had their fourth child, daughter, Georgeen.
Their tight family enjoyed attending baseball games that Bill would coach and the boys would participate. Mary couldn’t have been prouder of the four children they raised. They lived in Illinois for the first part of their marriage, then moved to Boise, Idaho. After 8 years they moved back to Lemont, Illinois and built their dream home. In 1997 they returned to Boise and have remained there ever since.
Mary and Bill were inseparable. Their marriage was a series of good moments that lasted almost five decades. Throughout their 49 years of marriage they rarely spent a night apart, as a result, a morning never went by without a kiss followed later in the day by a goodnight kiss before bed.
Mary was adored by her 6 grandchildren and she loved them just as much. She was blessed by a great grandson, Declan in 2015. They loved swimming at grandma and grandpas and spending the night in hopes of getting some of grandma’s special Ovaltine and of course, bagel bites. A phone call with grandma was never ended until a grandkid would say “Bye I love you” and Mary would quickly respond, “I love you more”.
She was an avid gardener and would spend many a long summer day in the yard tending to her beautiful flowers and vegetable gardens. Learning from her mother, Matilda, she was also a tremendous cook. No one would go hungry after a visit. During the holidays, not a single room would be without its decorations. She and Bill were diehard Chicago Bears fans and would watch every game together. Win or lose there was always next year.
Mary had a deep faith. She prayed always. Saying Grace at meals was always praying for others by name. She would lend a helping hand wherever needed, whether she had known them forever or for just five minutes. She attended numerous funerals for those that she did not know, in order to pray for them and their families. She would bring communion to those in need, often staying to talk or be of comfort. Her selfless nature will not only be admired forever, but will be missed by those who were blessed enough to know her.
Oldest son, David, is eternally grateful to have been able to spend the last 3 years with his mom during her battle with stage 4 cancer.
Mary is survived by her husband, Bill; children: David Kasten, Michael Kasten, Eric Kasten and Georgeen (Michael) Hardy. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Eric Jr., James, Jacob, Jordan, Angel and Zoe, as well as her great grandson, Declan; sisters: Kathy, Diane and Lori. She had numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great nieces and nephews that she adored as well.
Graveside Services for Mary will be held Monday, January 7, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Willard Grove Cemetery, 243001 S. Ford Rd., Channahon, IL. Local arrangements entrusted to Fred C. Dames Funeral Home, 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet, IL. For more information, please call 815-741-5500 or visit her Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com
