Wallace A. Kaste

Wallace A. “Wally” Kaste went home to be with the Lord on August 21, 2013. Wally was born in the family’s Jahns Valley farmhouse in Alma, Wisc., on March 16, 1930 to Alfred and Elizabeth (Gobar) Kaste.

Wally’s mother Elizabeth instilled in him a lifelong love of cows and people. She died when Wally was 13. In 1948 Wally graduated from Alma High School and joined the Army during the Korean War. After his discharge from the Army, Wally attended Cal_Poly in San Luis Obispo, Calif., and graduated with a bachelors degree in Dairy Science.

In 1957 Wally married Ruth Hawkes and they moved to Cathlamet where they bought a dairy farm. They dairied on Puget Island for over 40 years and were WA State Holstein Breeders of the year in 1988. He served on the All West- Select Sires Board, WA State Holstein Association Board, WA Dairy Federation Board, Wahkiakum School Board, Wahkiakum VFW Post # 5297 and was a longtime member of United Church of Christ. At church he was active in many capacities and especially loved singing in the choir. Wally and Ruth shared a love of gardening and were especially proud of their dahlias.

Wally is survived by his sons and wives, Dan and Betti of Yucaipa, Calif., Neal and Nancy and grandchildren Alan, Mark and Kristen all of Tillamook, Ore., brother and wife Allyn and Lois of Holman,Wisc., a sister-in-law Carollyn Hawkes and several nieces and nephews. In 2011 Ruth preceded Wally in death after 54 years of marriage.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, September 4 at United Church of Christ in Cathlamet, with interment to follow at Greenwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers those who wish may contribute to the UCC or Wahkiakum VFW Post #5297, 739 SR 409, Cathlamet, WA 98612. Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.