Obituary of Diane W. Kastner

Diane W. Kastner, age 76 of St. Paul—a truly beautiful person, best friend, and spousal soul mate—passed away on July 17, 2023, at Regions Hospital in St. Paul after a hard-fought battle with complications due to pancreatic cancer. She is now without pain, in the arms of our Lord. Diane was born in Minneapolis, MN in 1946. She graduated from Academy of Holy Angels High School in Richfield, and St. Catherine University in St. Paul. She is a retired teacher in the St. Paul Public Schools. She is preceded in death by parents, Gordon and Catherine Walker; daughter, Catherine R. Fleetham; son, John M. Fleetham; brothers, John, Rick, Tom, and Mike Walker. She is survived by husband, Ken Kastner; grandson, Edmond Kirby; brother, Pat Walker (Marlee); sisters, Mary Catherine Gale (Tom), Beth Pederson (Terry); sisters-in-law, Kay Savard (Mike), Gerry Olin (Jim), Rosie Walker (Mike); and many nieces and nephews. In retirement, Diane found a calling, volunteering at St. Paul Childrens Hospital where she continued to give of herself to children in need of a kind heart and caring hands. Diane had the rare ability to project an indelible feeling of love and total acceptance of everyone she encountered. She would often track down a restaurant manager to compliment wait staff on excellent service. This was always followed by a big tip. She especially loves her family, her tattoo and her favorite word is FOREVER. That’s how long we will carry her in our hearts.