Dick Kaster

Dick D. Kaster, 80, of Ventura passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at the Muse-Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa.
    According to his wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral service.  Burial will be at a later date.
    Dick was born Feb. 13, 1928, in Ventura, the son of Charles and Winnie (Burkholder) Kaster.  He served in the Maritime and Army with an honorable discharge.  Dick married Charlotte Clapper on Nov. 19, 1948, in Clear Lake.  He worked at Northern Natural Gas Company and during that time farmed and raised cattle and pigs.  Upon moving to fewer acres west of Ventura, Dick raised feeder pigs and became owner of the Reel Inn in Ventura.  There he enjoyed serving many buffets of turtle, chicken and buffalo, along with live country and western dancing.  Dick then decided to open Kaster Sports and Fisheries, to go along with his love of fishing and trapping. On July 1, 1983, Dick retired from Northern Natural Gas Company after 33 years of service.
    He had been a past member of the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce and The Preservation of Clear Lake.  Dick had been a member of Ducks Unlimited and also of the Ventura Gun Club.  He was proud to have been a lifetime member of the Clear Lake VFW Post #4868.  In his later years he enjoyed playing cards with friends.  Gardening was his greatest pleasure and he shared his vegetables with people around him.  Being an outdoors person, he treated his backyard “friends” as royalty at the feeders.
    Dick is survived by, Charlotte, his wife of 59 years; son and daughter, Gary Kaster of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, Cathy (Dean) Gilbertson, of Omaha, Neb., and one sister, Lois “Tootie” Hauge, Mason City; grandchildren, Kristy Gilbertson and Kyle Gilbertson, Omaha,  Jessie Kaster and her fiancé, Matt Miller, Waukon, Iowa; one great-grandchild, Memphis Miller, Waukon; many nieces and nephews, and his beloved “four pawed buddy” Snickers.
    Dick was preceded in death by his parents, sisters and brothers.
    Ward-Van Slyke Colonial Chapel, Clear Lake, was in charge of arrangements.