Ilene D. Kasten, 82, of Spring Valley, Minn., died on Wednesday, May 13, 2020, at the Spring Valley Care Center.
Ilene Donna Norgarden was born September 22, 1937, in Ostrander, Minn., to Ernest and Norma (Northness) Norgarden. After graduating from Spring Valley High School in 1955, Ilene was employed as a bookkeeper at Home Federal Savings Bank. On April 8, 1956, Ilene was united in marriage to George F. Kasten at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ostrander. They had met while attending Spring Valley High School together. Ilene later worked in the kitchens at Ostrander Nursing Home and Spring Valley Elementary School. Later in life, Ilene enjoyed serving the needs of others as a Home Health Aid. Ilene was very curious and loved to learn. She took community ed classes to learn how to do small carvings, paint, basket weaving and cake decorating. She enjoyed travelling and going on trips to see various places around the country. She enjoyed reading, playing games including Scrabble and cards, having coffee with friends, and doing puzzles. Ilene was an industrious, generous, and hospitable woman. She enjoyed crafts and making baby blankets for her grandchildren. Family was very important to her. She would make sure no one left hungry and always wanted things to be fair. Ilene could be frugal when it came to caring for herself, but she made sure her family had everything she could give them. She loved animals. She befriended a stray, abused dog while a widow on her farm, and while Ilene was in the nursing home, she befriended the resident cat, Boots. The two formed a special bond and Boots would sleep at the foot of her bed. Ilene embraced her Norwegian heritage and was a member of Faith United Methodist Church in Spring Valley.
Ilene is survived by her children Donna (Alvin) Rudlong of Spring Valley, Ken Kasten of Spring Valley, Ron (Kathy) Kasten of Rochester, Minn., and Barb (Tony) Farr of Marshfield, Wisc.; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren with two on the way, two sisters, Ethelyn Menees of Solon, Iowa, Joyce Nelson of San Diego, Calif., and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband George, infant son, and infant grandson.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, a private family service will be held on Friday, May 22, 2020, at Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley, with Pastor Mark Woodward officiating. Burial will take place in Spring Valley Cemetery.
Online condolences may be left at Hindtfuneralhomes.com.