Kenneth Anthony Kasten

United States Army Sergeant Kenneth Anthony Kasten tragically lost his life on June 2, 2021 due to service-connected cancer.

Born in Loveland, Colorado, Kasten spent his early years there before relocating to Iron Mountain, Michigan, at age 12. He enlisted in the military in 2000, driven by a desire to pursue higher education. Kasten was a proud member of the Michigan Army National Guard and dedicated his life to service, family, and community. During Operations Iraqi Freedom I & II, Kasten was recognized for his meticulous attention to detail, self-motivation, and positive influence on his peers. His leadership skills significantly boosted morale and performance. After his military service, Kasten earned a Bachelor’s in Construction Management with a minor in Business from Northern Michigan University. He quickly advanced in his career at Boldt Construction and later Gundlach Champion Construction, managing numerous large-scale projects including hospitals, churches, and commercial buildings. His projects consistently ran smoothly and efficiently, and he forged lasting friendships along the way.

Kasten met his future wife, Natalie, in high school. Their friendship blossomed into a loving relationship after his return from deployment in 2004. They married in 2008 and had three beautiful children together, Henry, Ella, and Oliver. Kasten was an exceptional father and husband, always ensuring his family felt loved, safe, and supported. A skilled builder, he constructed their beautiful family home in 2017, a place filled with personal touches and cherished memories. He was immensely proud of his wife’s career as a nurse, often sharing his admiration with others.

Kasten’s legacy is one of kindness, generosity, and unwavering strength. He made friends effortlessly with his outgoing personality. Kasten consistently helped others, even strangers. His family was always his top priority, a commitment that remained steadfast even during his battle with cancer. Kasten faced his illness with remarkable resilience and a positive, fighting attitude, never complaining despite his struggles. He believed serving his country was an honor, and his military service shaped the man he became—a fact he never regretted, even when his cancer was linked to it.

To honor his memory, Kasten’s family established “Kasten’s Crew,” a group that wears yellow sunflower shirts (the symbol for sarcoma cancer) and gathers to remember him. His children and wife carry his ashes to places he longed to see or revisit, most recently Loveland, Colorado, his birthplace, and Red Rocks Amphitheater. Natalie would love to start a scholarship fund at their local high school in his honor, ensuring his spirit of service and dedication continues to inspire future generations. Kasten truly loved life and his family, leaving behind a profound legacy of love, strength, and a lasting impact that continues to uplift and inspire.

United States Army Sergeant Kenneth Anthony Kasten is survived by his loving wife, Natalie, and their beautiful children, Henry, Ella, and Oliver.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided the Kasten family with a mortgage-free home through the Gold Star Family Home Program.