Donna Kastanek

Donna D. Kastanek, 98, of STaples passed away March 26, 2025 at Lakewood Manor in Staples.

Services were held March 31 at the Staples United Methodist Church with Pastor Dan Crocker officiating. 

Interment was at Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.

Donna was born August 21, 1931 to Werley L. and Myrtle P. (Roche)Hagenson in Staples. She grew up in the rural Staples area. She attended rural District #36 graduating from the eighth grade in 1945, Staples High School in 1949 and Staples Teacher training in 1950. She married George J. Kastanek on June 6, 1955, at the United Methodist Church, Staples. 

Donna was a graduate of St. Cloud University. She taught in rural schools in Todd and Crow Wing counties. She was a fifth grade teacher at Lowell Elementary School in Brainerd for 31 years. 

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 enjoyed reading, crocheting, playing cards and board games.

She is survived by one niece, Joanne (Jerald) Carpenter; one great-nephew, Jason (Kayla) Carpenter; two great-nieces, Jolene (Brad) King and Jill (Tony) Carpenter; five great-great nephews, Jacob, Charles, Caedin, Brody and Wyatt; six great-great-nieces, Gabrielle, Danielle, Alison, Mariah, Kylie and Madison; one great-great-great-nephew, Lukas; one great-great-great-niece, Cynthia  and a host of friends. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, George; parents; one brother, Dick and one great-great-nephew, Bentley.

Arrangements were with Taylor Funeral Home of Staples.

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