Eileen "Sissy" Kastner, 71, Grand Forks, and formerly of Minot and Rock Lake, died Sunday, June 10, 2012, in a Grand Forks hospital.
Eileen was born Oct. 29, 1940, on the family farm near Rock Lake, in Towner County, the daughter of Peter and Mabel (Gall) Sparby. She was raised on the family's dairy farm and graduated from Rock Lake High School in 1958, where she played high school girls basketball.
Eileen was once married to Elmer Kastner. They made their home in Minot, where she was employed at Sears, Radiology Consultants and for Bechtold Paving as a secretary/bookkeeper. She moved to Grand Forks in 1984 and was employed with Catholic Family and Lutheran Social Services placing children with adoptive families in the area.
While residing in Minot, Eileen was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. She enjoyed playing bingo, reading and watching basketball and hockey games, especially UND and the Chicago Bulls. Her grandchildren remember her best for her wonderful chocolate chip cookies and her love for her cats.
Her loving family includes: children, Colleen (Kelly) Bertsch, Minot, Virginia Gross, Minot, and Allen Kastner, Aurora, Colo.; grandchildren, Kristin (Bill) Kokot, Kayla (Chad) Haugeberg, Kelsey Bertsch and her boyfriend, Scott Martin, Stephanie Gross; great-granddaughter, Ellie Kokot; brother, Tom (Karen) Sparby, Whitefish, Mont.; and sister, Betty Mae Smith, Missoula, Mont.; and several nieces and nephews.
Eileen was preceded in death by her parents; and sisters, Bonnie and Ida.
Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, June 15, at 10 a.m., in Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Minot.
Graveside Service: Friday, June 15, at 2:45 p.m., in the Rock Lake Community Cemetery.
Vigil Prayer service: Thursday, June 14, at 7:30 p.m., in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Visitation: Thursday, from 2 to 7 p.m., in Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.
Those wishing to sign the online memorial register or share memories are invited to use the expressions of sympathy section at (www.thomasfamilyfuneralhome.com)
