Francis H. Kastens

Francis Henry “Ted” Kastens was born on September 24, 1930, on the family homestead north of Ludell, Kansas. He was the youngest child of Herman J. and Katharine (Gansberg) Kastens. He passed on to his heavenly home on May 6, 2025, at 94 years of age surrounded by his family. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church, Ludell, Kansas.

Ted attended all eight grades at Trinity Lutheran School and graduated from Atwood High School in 1948. On June 1, 1952, he married Gertie Jane Wancura at Trinity Lutheran Church. They were blessed to celebrate more than 72 years together. To this union four daughters Brenda, Lynda, Marsha and Krista were born. His wife and daughters worked alongside him on the family farm.

Ted loved to play sports. He played baseball, softball, basketball and volleyball for town teams in Ludell, Herndon and Atwood. While he was playing baseball for Atwood, he was proud to pitch a game against Goodland while big league player “Billy” Martin was on their team. After his ball career, he took up golf and said it was the most challenging. He enjoyed playing cards with friends and family. He sang with the Tumbleweed Barbershop Chorus in Colby for 30 years. He grew up in a musical family and learned how to play the accordion and harmonica by ear. When the family got together there was singing in the air.

Keeping up the farm stead was one of his joys and he made sure it was in top condition. They stayed on the farm for 50 years; and he continued farming after moving to their home in Atwood. Ted could fix anything or would take on any challenge and learn how to do it. He was a perfectionist in everything he did.

Ted was a charter member of the Ludell Lucky 11 Club and a member of NFO (National Farmers Organization). He was a faithful member of Trinity, Grace and Redeemer Lutheran Churches and held many church offices. He sang for many funerals in German and in the church choir.

Over the years, Ted and Gertie made four trips to Germany to visit his first cousins and their families. His four daughters and some family members went on their last trip to visit German relatives. They also went on numerous bus tours in the United States and visited Hawaii and Alaska.

He is survived by his wife, Gertie, of the home; four daughters, Brenda (Wilbur) Henry; Lynda (Sylvester) Hurst; Marsha Ehm (friend Jerry Miller); and Krista (Lance) Simminger; nine grandchildren, Michelle (Tony) Carnes, April (Matt) Green, Tiffanie (Shawn) Craig, Tracy (Roger) Doty, Jared (Jennifer) Hurst, Daniel Hurst, Miranda Simminger, Keith (Gracyn) Simminger and Casey Simminger; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Verda Wancura and Charlene Shelton.

Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Herman and Katharine; in-laws, Willie and Clara Wancura; sisters, Wilma Kastens and Frieda (Walter) Timm; brothers, Ed (Geneva) Kastens, Harry (Paula) Kastens, Alvin (Bernice) Kasten and Elmer (Millie) Kastens; son-in-law Tim Ehm; great-granddaughter Lidia Hurst; sister-in-law Cindy Trenkle; brothers-in-law, Kevan Trenkle, Stanley Wancura, Marvin Cloe and Jack Shelton.

A private family burial was held at the Fairview Cemetery, Atwood, Kansas. Memorial services will be held at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church, Atwood on May 12, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Memorials may be made to Redeemer Lutheran Church or Renew Ludell Fund and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701.