"Dear Kay and Family: Thank you so much for letting me know about this way to view information about your Dad's life. What a wonderful tribute. As a cherished friend and pledge daughter, you are always close in my heart and thoughts. I send my sincere sympathy and love and prayers to you and yours. Kay Hollenbeck Hoflander Alpha Phi, Omicron Chapter"
In loving memory of
Walter Kasiske
October 13, 2005
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Walter Bertram Kasiske, M.D., 91, of Keokuk, Iowa, died at 1:58 a.m. Thursday, October 13, 2005 at River Hills Village in Keokuk, Iowa.
Walter Bertram Kasiske, M.D. was born on January 14, 1914, in LaPlata, Missouri, son of the late Louis W. and Hepperich Bertram Kasiske. He married the late Marian Kolb Kasiske on March 10, 1945 in Columbia, MO.
Survivors include: two sons Bertram Lewis Kasiske, M.D. and wife Jane of Minneapolis, MN; Kenneth Lee Kasiske, and wife Lyn of Jackson, NJ; one daughter Kay Coleman Kasiske of Lohman, MO; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild, and a dear friend Laura Jane Seabold.
He was preceded in death by four sisters: Bess Kasiske of Springfield, IL; Mae Kasiske, Pearl Kasiske, Grace Kasiske Ashby all of LaPlata, MO; and a grandson Brian Kasiske.
Dr. Kasiske was raised in Etna, MO and graduated from Granger High School with the class of 1931. He graduated from Kirksville State College in 1936 with a BS in Education.
He studied medicine at the University of Missouri-Columbia graduating with a BA in 1939, and received his MD degree from the University of Louisville in 1943. Dr. Kasiske then joined the Army Medical Corps as a First Lieutenant.
He served in WWII from 1944 until 1946 when he was honorably discharged as a Major. He was awarded a WWII Victory Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon, Campaign Stars for both Iwo Jima and Saipan, American Defense Medal, and a Meritorious Service Insignia for his service.
After being discharged from the armed services, he completed two years of residency in internal medicine at the University of Louisville before moving to Keokuk in 1949. He practiced medicine in the southeast Iowa area until retiring in 1985. He was the last practicing physician from Lee County who served in WWII.
Dr. Kasiske was a life member of the Iowa Medical Society and American Medical Association. Phi Beta Medical Fraternity and Blue Key National Honor Society. He was an active member of Keokuk Area Hospital staff and served on the K.A.H. Foundation Board and Board of Trustees.
He was a 50-year member of the American Legion and Keokuk Masonic Lodge #29 A.F& A.M, a Paul Harris Fellow of the Keokuk Rotary Club, a member of Keokuk Area Chamber of Commerce and Keokuk Country Club. He was involved with regional Boy Scouts of America, and active in many other organizations, including over 50 years with the Trinity United Methodist Church, where he was very active in taking tapes of church services to the shut-ins.
Funeral services were held Monday, October 17, 2005 at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Emmanuel Dass officiating. Burial with Military Rites was in Keokuk National Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Walter B. and Marian K. Kasiske Scholarship Fund at Trinity United Methodist Church, 2330 Plank Road, Keokuk, Iowa 52632.
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Tributes
"I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences. "
"kAY AND fAMILY, I JUST RECEIVED A CALL FROM ANN ,AND MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL DURING THIS MOST DIFFICULT TIME. MAY GOD KEEP YOU IN HIS PRAYERS AND FORTIFY YOU WITH THE INNER STRENGTH HE INSTILLS IN ALL OF US. judy lewis"
"Bert, Ken, and Lyn we just lost a very good friend. Your father lived a full life and was always there to help others. Dick and "Olie" Brown"
"PLEASE ACCEPT MY SINCERE SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF DR. KASISKE. DR KASISKE WAS MY MOTHERS DOCTOR, AND MINE FROM PROBABLY 1950, WHEN I WAS 11 YEARS OLD. HE TREATED THRU MY YOUNG YEARS SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS CUTS AND BRUISES ON MY BODY MOSTLY ASSOCIATED WITH BOYS PLAYING. FINALLY, AT ABOUT 16 I GOT A SEVERE LACERATION ON MY HEAD FROM DIVING IN A ROCK QUARRY. I RODE TO HIS OFFICE ON 8TH ST ON MY SCOOTER FROM SANDUSKY AND BY THEN I HAD A LOT OF BLOOD ON MY FACE AND UPPER BODY(NO SHIRT}. WHEN I WALKED INTO THE WAITING ROOM, AND THERE WAS AT ONCE A LOUD OUTCRY FROM ALL THOSE PRESENT, SO LOUD THAT IT BROUGHT THE DR. TO THE DOOR. HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID "OH, ITS YOU AGAIN, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE NOW? YOU BETTER COME BACK HERE WITH ME". THEN WHILE STITCHING THE CUT HE SAID, "YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO LAND ON YOUR HEAD ONE THESE TIMES, IT WAS JUST A QUESTION OF WHEN". HE HAD A WAY OF MAKING YOU FEEL GOOD ABOUT HAVING HIM FOR YOUR DOCTOR. HE WAS PART OF MY GROWING UP. AND I HAVE ALWAYS REMEMBERED HIM WITH GREAT FONDNESS. H. KESSELRING "
"Walter was a great friend to all, he truly loved everyone. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all and your families at this time. "
"Thinking of you during your time of loss. "
"My thoughts are with your family. One of my early childhood memories is of living on King Street and playing on the hill in Dr and Mrs Kasiske's backyard."