A visitation will be held Sunday, January 25, 2026, from 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., at Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield and from 9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m., on Monday at Saint Raphael Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be Monday, January 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Saint Raphael Catholic Church. Burial will be at Saint Raphael Catholic Church Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Springfield. Online Condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Wayne was born on August 18, 1938, in Cottonwood County, Sanborn, Minnesota, the son of Joseph and Clara (Saffert) Kastner.

Wayne received his early education from country school District 79 in Germantown Township and then went on to Sanborn Public School where he graduated with the Class of 1956. He was united in marriage with Diane Turbes on October 2, 1956, at St. Raphael Catholic Church in Springfield, Minnesota.

After their marriage, they farmed just outside of Sanborn, for 5 years. They moved to Comfrey, Minnesota, where they lived for 7 years. Wayne worked as a mechanic with his brother, Joe, at Kastner Ford Garage. They returned to Sanborn where he and Diane managed the Phillips 66 Station and café at Sanborn Corners for 8 years. So many memories are cherished from these years – pumping gas, washing windshields, checking and changing oil, and dad taking the wrecker out to tow so many stranded vehicles. Mom was in the café, playing “horse” with the customers to see if their coffee was “on the house”. In 1975, they moved their family back to the farm site they started at when Wayne and Diane were newlyweds. He worked at Midland Cooperative in Springfield for 5 years and then started his own business, “Wayne’s Repair”, on that farm site where they lived then for 30 years until he retired.

Wayne was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Sanborn where he participated on the Parish Council and the Parish Finance Council, and sang with the adult choir for many years. Wayne and Diane were core leaders for the Retrovaille Program of Minnesota where they traveled nationally to share their story with married couples in danger of separation, for over 15 years. They were humbled and gratified by the work they put into the program and the many friends they made at these weekend gatherings.

Wayne loved working with his hands and the earth and it came so naturally to him. He spent years developing and nurturing the lawn, his flowers and his incredible garden. The children lovingly named this beautiful “park” (the farm), where they all came back and camped as adults with their families – “Dead Duck Campground.” He also enjoyed camping and spending time with his family, including all the grand, great grand, and great great grandchildren, playing cards (Sheephead) with family and card clubs and dancing to old time music. Wayne was a humble man with great integrity. He was honest and kind, was always there to help his children, family and friends with whatever they needed. He was a jokester and had some of the best “one-liners” especially in the last couple of years.

Wayne is survived by Diane, his wife of nearly 70 years; 7 children, Jody (Steve) Lyle of Springfield, Joel (Kim) Kastner of Lakeville, James (Tina) Kastner of Miltona, Joan Kelly of Mankato, Jaci (Joel) James of Mankato, Jay Kastner of Sanborn and Jolene (Terry) Schenk of Sanborn, all in Minnesota. He has mentored, teased and loved 23 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren, and 12 great great grandchildren.

Wayne was preceded in death by his mother and father; 2 children, Joyce in 1959 and Julie in 2008; brothers, Ray and Joe; sisters, Alice Radtke and LaRue Simonson; and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

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