Nelson Kasten

Nelson Kasten

Nelson H. Kasten, 99, Cape Girardeau died Friday, July 26, 2024, at Chateau Girardeau.

Nelson was born Aug. 6, 1924, in Cape Girardeau to Herbert C. and Alma Marie Voges Kasten. He married Alice Comstock on Jan. 30, 1949, in Pittsburg, Kansas.

Before moving back to Cape Girardeau in 1997, they resided in Webster Groves and Wildwood in St. Louis County for over 40 years.

Nelson graduated from Cape Girardeau Central High School in 1941. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State College in May 1947, with a Bachelor of Science, with majors in chemistry and mathematics.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in December 1942. While with the Pacific Amphibious Fleet in World War II, he served on three ships as navigator. He was transferred to reserve status in August 1946 and retired from the U.S. Navy Reserve as a lieutenant in 1964.

Nelson worked for Monsanto Chemical Co. over 38 years as a research chemist, receiving three patents. His work ranged from liquid detergent, food products and silicon use in electronics.

He was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau. In the St. Louis area, he was deacon, elder and clerk of session in Presbyterian churches.

Nelson volunteered at the U.S.O. and St. Luke’s Hospital in St. Louis, as well as both Saint Francis Medical Center and Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau. During retirement, he clocked over 5,000 hours of volunteer work.

Nelson (and Alice) satisfied educational interests by attending 22 Elderhostel travel-study courses over a 20-year period during retirement.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Alice, and his parents.

Nelson is survived by a daughter, Barbara (David) Hiatt of Flagstaff, Arizona; a son, Donald (Cindy) Kasten of Billings, Montana; two granddaughters, Samantha Hiatt of Louisville, Kentucky, and Rachel (Rob) Hiatt of San Francisco; a grandson, Nathan (Mary) Hiatt of Franklin County; two great-grandsons, Ryan and Kyle Baer; and two great-granddaughters, Callie Rose and Caitlyn Marie Hiatt.

Granting his wishes, there will be no visitation.

A private graveside service with military honors will be held at a later date at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

Memorial donations may be made to the MOAA Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1824, Merrifield, VA, 22116-9917; Southeast Missouri University Foundation, Music Department, One University Plaza, MS 7300, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; or the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 802, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.