George F. Kasl, Jr. of Dorchester, went to his heavenly home April 9, 2023, at Bryan East Hospital in Lincoln, at the age of 89 years, and nine months.
He was born on the family farm near Tabor Hall on July 9, 1933, the eighth of nine children, to George Sr. and Emma (Rezabek) Kasl. Jr. attended Mount Pleasant Country School, District 62, followed by a year at Dorchester High School. He then decided to leave school to help on the family farm. Jr. served in the Army National Guard for nine years, and during that time, he met the love of his life, Shirley, at a dance at Tabor Hall. He was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Ripa on June 12, 1956, and they made their home on the Kasl family home place where Jr. had grown up. They enjoyed their lives on the farm and stayed busy raising hogs, sheep, chickens, and cattle. They loved kids and spent many summers hosting their nieces and nephews on the farm.
After 15 years of marriage, they were blessed with their only son, George F. Kasl, III, or “Georgie” as he was affectionately called. He was the absolute light of their lives and Jr. was so proud to take him along wherever he went and show him off to everyone. Nothing gave him more pleasure than being a dad. He loved spending time with Georgie throughout his years in Boy Scouts, and was a Scout leader part of that time as well. When Georgie got interested in showing cattle, Jr. found himself with a new hobby, too, as he spent many hours going to cattle shows and sales, and later on taking loads to Columbus for embryo transfers or to the sale barn. He enjoyed helping with the cattle chores around the farm, and could always be found puttering around and “fixing fence.”
That pride and love extended to his grandchildren when they came along, and he and Shirley rarely missed any of the kids’ events. They were incredibly supportive with each and every one of their granddaughters’ activities, whether it was sports, music concerts, dance or showing animals in 4-H. He was very proud that he and Shirley received the 2022 Friends of 4-H award for the many years of supporting their family and the youth of Saline County.
Besides his family, Jr.’s one true love was farming, and he was a Northrup King seed dealer for many years. He especially loved his wheat and milo, and enjoyed sowing his wheat the most. He was always concerned about the weather, and enjoyed watching the weather channel and listening to the markets and the weather on KRVN (even though the station is over two hours away!). Even after retiring from farming, he always wanted to drive around and check the fields to see how the crops were coming along. Having to give up driving himself around was especially difficult, but his family and neighbors made sure he still got to experience planting and harvest as much as possible.
Jr. was very proud to be a member of August-Vanek Legion Post #264. He enjoyed attending Legion meetings and helping with the various activities, and was honored to be presented with a Quilt of Valor in March 2022. He was also very active throughout the years at WFLA Tabor Lodge #74 and had received his 50-year pin. He loved both attending and helping at dances at the hall. He was proud of his Czech heritage and loved listening to polkas, and maybe enjoying a pivo or two, especially with tomato juice. On Saturday nights, he could be found watching Mollie B., and rarely missed listening to the All Star Polka show on Sunday mornings. He always looked forward to Czech Days, and getting his annual pin was a must. Jr. also found a special friend in his cat, Blackie, and the two of them enjoyed each other’s company tremendously.
Jr. is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Shirley; his son and daughter-in-law, George, III and Jenni Kasl; granddaughters, Emma Kasl and special friend Landon Scott, Cassidy Olson and special friend Brandon Bruha, Quinn Kasl and Kendall Kasl; great-granddaughters, Aleah Wendelin and Emerson Scott; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bob and Marva Kasl, Rich and Shirley Kasl and Evelyn Kasl, all of Dorchester; brother-in-law, Kenny Ripa, Wilber; many nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives. Jr. was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law, Victor and Emma Ripa; sisters and brothers-in-law, Evelyn and Elmer Branzovsky, Helen and Edward Halada, Dorothy and Lumir Kotas and Gladys and Warren Burda; brothers and sisters-in-law, Ed and Rosella Kasl, Frank Kasl and Darlene Kasl; and several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service was April 14 at Dorchester United Methodist Church. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the family for future designation. Arrangements by Kuncl Funeral Home.
