Mass of Christian Burial for James Robert Kastner, 75, Aberdeen, will be 10:00am Thursday, May 20, 2010 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 409 3rd Ave. SE. with Father Edward Pierce officiating.  Burial will follow at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery with Military Rites by the Sidney L. Smith American Legion, Post #24 of Aberdeen.

Liturgical wake service followed by a rosary will begin at 7pm Wednesday, May 19, at Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Ave. NW.  Visitation will be 4-7pm Wednesday, at the mortuary and one hour prior to the funeral on Thursday, at the church. James passed away Saturday, May 15, 2010 at his home with his loving family at his side.

James "Jim" Kastner was born in Sisseton, SD March 14, 1935 to John Henry and Clara (Zwickl) Kastner.  Jim graduated South Dakota State College in 1958 with a BS in Civil Engineering.  He was certified as a Professional Engineer in 1973 and Professional Land Surveyor in 1975. Jim served in the US Army 1959 to 1961 and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.  During active duty he was awarded the Expert (Rifle), Parachute (Airborne) Badge and Ranger Tab (Ranger class 10-59).  After active duty Jim returned to South Dakota and served in the US Army Reserve until 1965. James was united in marriage to Fredrica R. Burke on February 13, 1960 at the Presidio of Monterey Post Chapel, Monterey, CA.

James was employed as a Civil engineer for the South Dakota Dept. of Transportation for 32 years.  He served in many capacities from Survey Crew Chief to Director of Engineering.  Jim retired from the SDDOT in 1990.  He then started Dakota Roadway Consultants, Inc., and worked as a private consulting engineer until he retired in 2000. After fully retiring, Jim and Fredrica enjoyed touring the US in their motor home along with their faithful dog, Lobo.  In 2004 they returned to Aberdeen, SD and built their final home on Richmond Lake.

Grateful for sharing Jim's life are Fredrica, his wife of fifty years; his four children, Mary (Philip) Hogue of Newalla, OK; Jeanette Drapeaux of Aberdeen, SD; James Jr. of Phoenix, AZ; and John (Tammy) of Watertown, SD; eight grandchildren:  Michael, Duncan, OK; Ricky, Trina, and John, Newalla, OK; Jennifer and Charlie, Aberdeen, SD; Emily, Phoenix, AZ; and Stephen, Watertown, SD; and two great-grandchildren, Landon and Mady, Duncan, OK; his mother, Clara, of Hankinson, ND; two brothers, Edward (Elaine) of Hopkins, MN; John (Teresa) of Hamel, MN; and two sisters, Joan (Rolland) Sayler of Wishek, ND; and Carol (Ken) Wingenbach, of Bismarck, ND.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, John.