Rev. Dr. Dennis A. Kastens
May 10, 1939 – March 30, 2026
Dennis Allen Kastens was born May 10, 1939, near Ludell, Kansas, to Harry and Paula (née Neuhart) Kastens. He was baptized May 13, 1939, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Ludell by Pastor Schmidt and later also confirmed his faith there on March 29, 1953.
He attended public school through fifth grade and then Trinity Lutheran Parochial School for grades six through eight. He graduated from Atwood Community High School in Atwood, Kan., in 1957.
He attended St. John's College in Winfield, Kan., and Concordia Senior College in Ft. Wayne, Ind., before enrolling at Concordia Seminary in Saint Louis, Mo., where he earned a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in 1965 and received an honorary Doctor of Letters in 2000.
June 12, 1965, he married Alice Christine Nobe at Saint Matthew Lutheran Church in Saint Louis, Mo. They shared 60 years of marriage. Into their home came two children, who with their families survive: John W. (Carmen) Kastens and Mark A.E. (Amy) Kastens; five grandchildren: Jacob (Lacey) Kastens, Grace (Ryan) Boatright, Miriam Kastens, Joshua (Christina) Kastens, and Hannah Kastens; and four great-grandchildren: Makenzie Smith, James Kastens, Matthew Kastens, and Mabel Boatright. He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses: Larry (Deanna) Kastens, June Hesterman, Gary (Dianna) Kastens, and Terry (Marilyn) Kastens, as well as his brothers- and sisters-in-law: Niles Niermeier, Charles (Esther) Nobe, and Paul (Angela) Nobe; along with other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Jayne Niermeier; brother-in-law Marvin Hesterman; godson Jordan Niermeier; and nephew Kevin Nobe.
From 1965–1970, he served as pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Hilo, Hawaii, where he oversaw relocation of the parish campus, erection of parsonage, education building, worship sanctuary, and opened an early childhood center. He also operated a preaching station in Puakō, Hawaii and oversaw the launch of full-time pastoral ministry at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Wailuku/Kahului, Maui, in 1968.
From 1970–1979, he served at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Aiea, Hawaii, where he opened an early childhood center, founded an K–8 Lutheran school, erected a parsonage, and the construction of a three-story elementary school facility.
From 1979–1992, he was pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran in Collinsville, Ill., where an early childhood center and elementary school were launched which grew to serve 450 students across two campuses.
He served as second vice-president (1988–1990) and first vice-president (1991–1992) of the Southern Illinois District of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and had previously served on various district auxiliaries and boards.
During these years, he was a contributor to Portals of Prayer and The Lutheran Witness, wrote curriculum materials for the Synod's midweek religious education series, and had several sermon books published.
He was a translating attaché with Rev. Dr. Dale A. Meyer of the Lutheran Hour during the early 1990’s with travels taking him to the former East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Russia. He also served on the East Bloc Commission with the LCMS Board for Mission Services. A highlight of these travels, in view of being bilingual, was his preaching at the church in Wechold, Germany, the parish where three of his ancestors served as Lutheran pastors.
From 1992–1995 he served as administrative pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he oversaw renovation of the fellowship hall.
From 1995–2020, he served as senior pastor at Peace Lutheran Church in Saint Louis, Mo., where he remained until retirement. During his incumbency there, he promoted the enhancement of its early childhood program to include infants from ages six weeks to five years, oversaw the purchase of six surrounding residences (1995–2005) to enlarge the Peace campus, erection of its Family Life Center (including gymnasium) in 2003, and dedication of its (300–400 seat) worship sanctuary and 38-rank tracker organ in 2014.
Upon retirement in 2020, he became emeritus pastor of Peace Lutheran Church, continuing to visit homebound members and assist the congregation.
He passed away March 30, 2026, at the age of 86, after a brief illness.
Visitation will be held from 3–8 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 at Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Rd., St. Louis. The funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the church. Pastors are invited to vest and process, but are also just encouraged to attend. Interment will follow at St. Trinity Cemetery in St. Louis.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made to: Peace Lutheran Church, 737 Barracksview Rd., St. Louis, MO, 63125; or Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO, 63105.