Marilyn B. Kasten

Marilyn Barbara Kasten, 85, passed peacefully on July 12, 2025, after a lengthy but courageous battle with dementia. She was born in Sheboygan, WI to Francis and Etta Guenther on May 9, 1940. She attended Sheboygan Falls High School, UW-Sheboygan (liberal arts), and LTC (accounting). Through the years, she had jobs as a nurse’s aide (candy striper), baker, cashier, and secretary.

After marrying Verland Kasten in 1968, she dedicated her time to the job she loved the most - being a housewife and mother. Verland was a widower with four children and Marilyn had one child from a previous marriage, so they became a family of seven. When they were newly married, Verland was a farmer in Howards Grove and worked another job, but because of her meticulous organizational skills, they decided to pursue a new career path together and build something incredible. They sold the farm, built a house next door on the land parcel they kept, and planted some apple trees. It was the beginning of Dwarf Acres, which grew into a truck farm and orchard business. In the early years, there were pickle picking contracts, which the kids helped with. In the later years, the grandkids got involved until the business was sold and they relocated to Neenah, WI.

Marilyn had a deep love for Greyhounds and, through the years adopted five: Jinx, Venus, Crown, Tucker, and Tonya. They were a key part on their life. She and Verland occasionally traveled to visit family who lived in other states and enjoyed an annual trip to Branson, MO to catch as many shows in a four-day weekend as possible.

A big part of Marilyn and Verland’s life together revolved around religion. She was born Baptist and attended Bethel Baptist Church in Sheboygan, WI. After marrying she turned Lutheran and attended Trinity Lutheran-Howards Grove, WI, Trinity Lutheran-Sheboygan, WI, Peace Lutheran-Neenah, WI, and the latter years St. Marks-Wausau, WI. She loved volunteering and would often help with VBS, LWML and Funeral Meals.

Her other volunteering revolved around the family life. She was a 4-H leader when the kids were young and also tutored at the elementary schools for those in need of reading help.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter Karen (Phil) LeClaire; step-daughters Jane (Stan) Jolly and Sharon (Craig) Rezin; step-sons James (Karen) Kasten and Kenneth (Terry) Kasten; grandchildren Rachel LeClaire, Marian LeClaire, Heather Kasten, Jason Kasten, Melissa (Scott) Maurer, Helen Jolly (Bean), Matthew Rezin, Kim (Scott) Kennedy, Brittany Rezin (Scott), Carolyn (David) Gonzalez, Kate (Dustin) Bukowski, and Megan Kasten; great-grandchildren Emmalee, Terrick, Kaitlyn, Rhys, Ashlyn, Gabe, Asher, Addison, Madeleine, Miles, Rebecca, Verland (Lando), Beatrix (Trixie), and Westly. She is also survived by her sisters Joyce (Richard) TenHaken and Carol (Rick) Wilson; and sister-in-law Barbara Guenther.

Marilyn is preceded in death by her husband Verland; parents Francis and Etta Guenther; mother-in-law Clara Kasten; brother William Guenther; and brother and sister-in-law Arnold and Loraine Doman.

Marilyn’s family would like to thank the staff at Bell Tower Residence for their care during the last year and a half while she was with them – their compassion is unmatched. We’d also like to thank the Aspirus Hospice staff who guided us through these last two months.

The funeral service for Marilyn will be at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation – 301 Eagle Dr., Merrill on Friday, July 18, 2025. The visitation will begin at 10:00 A.M., and the service will begin at 11:00 A.M. with a meal to follow. Pastor Eric Hauan from St. Mark’s Lutheran Wausau will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Bell Tower Campaign Fund, St. Mark’s Lutheran Preschool or General Fund, The Humane Society or a charity of your choosing.

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.