Richard R. Kastenschmidt

Richard R. Kastenschmidt, 86, of La Crosse, died on Monday, August 4, 2025 at Benedictine Manor in La Crosse. He was born on April 27, 1939 in La Crosse to Victor and Sarah (Walters) Kastenschmidt. Richard graduated from Central High School in 1957. He married Beverly Rice on June 21, 1958. Richard was a tool and die engineer and engineering group leader at Trane Company for 44 years. He was a member of First Ev. Lutheran Church in La Crosse and was on the church council for eight years. Richard was a chief election inspector for ten years and was a member of the Coulee Region Snowdrifters Club. He was known as “Mr. Fix It” to his family.

He is survived by his wife Beverly, three children, Kathy (David) Meir, Kevin Kastenschmidt (Faye Ellis), and Kristen (Mike) Piechowski, six grandchildren, Ben (Kelly) Meir, Melissa (Tony) Darelius, Heather Wilke (Greg Schuda), Ryan (Dani) Kastenschmidt, Memphis Piechowski, and Macy Piechowski, ten great-grandchildren, Ellen, Nora, Adam, Annie, Grace, Leo, Piper, Greyson, Crew and Isaiah, and two sisters, Nancy Anderson and Sallie Rosinsky. He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Elaine Miller.

Memorial services will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM at First Ev. Lutheran Church, La Crosse. Pastor Richard Pamperin will officiate. Friends may call at the church on Tuesday from 1:00 PM until the time of services. In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to First Ev. Lutheran Church, School, or preschool. The family would like to thank the Pastors at First Ev. Lutheran, and the caregivers at Benedictine Manor and Gundersen Hospice.