Jenny Lynn Kasten

Jenny Kasten, age 57, of Appleton, WI passed away on 10/23/24 at St. Elizabeth Hospital surrounded by her loving family and the welcoming arms of her Savior. She was born on February 12th, 1967 in Wausau, WI. A private memorial service was held at Wichmann Funeral Home.

Jenny was a1985 graduate of Appleton West High School where she excelled in track, often leaving the “taller” competitors in her dust. Upon graduation she ventured south in search of a warm gulf breeze, the sound of the waves, and to leave her footprints in the Florida sand. She fell in love with the ocean and returned often to visit her beloved state throughout her lifetime.

Jenny’s true purpose and greatest gift in life was her extraordinary mothering skills. If there was a child within hugging distance Jenny would instantly have them in her arms. She was happiest when she was surrounded by a room full of children and rejoiced when she was gifted with each new niece or nephew. She was “favorite Auntie Jenny” or “AJ” for short. She fostered many children and blessed them with her kindness, patience, joy, faith and her love, hoping always that her influence would somehow make their lives better. The door was always open to anyone needing a kind word, some sound advice or just to be heard. Jenny never hesitated to share an appropriate scripture to help solve your dilemma or brighten your day. Without exception, you left her house feeling uplifted.

We know Jenny lived her faith as she was slow to anger, quick to forgive and was always the first to say “I’m sorry”. She brought sunshine into the lives of all who knew her and believed in redemption, second chances, the goodness of people and the joy of children. Jenny was unpretentious, kind, humble and generous and never gave a gift that wasn’t well thought out. She remembered all of the small, yet important moments of people’s lives and made you feel truly special for small accomplishments.

Jenny was naturally pretty but her true beauty came from her soul. She was a “low maintenance woman”. All she ever required was a tube of clear lip gloss and a “doingy thing” to tame her beautiful hair. Jenny’s quick wit and incredible sense of humor could rival the best of comedians.

A lover of all God’s creations, Jenny was awed by the splendor of His universe. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of walking, riding her bike, kayaking and exploring the many trails at Bubolz Nature Preserve,1000 Islands Environmental Center and Heckodt Wetland Reserve where she and her beloved son Josiah visited often to walk and talk about Life.

With unwavering faith, determination, and positive energy, Jenny owned and operated a small business with her son Josiah. They were an amazing team! Jenny took great pride in the work that they did together and loved to watch him learn and grow.

What we will remember most about Jenny is the sound of her laughter bouncing off the walls of every room she entered, her megawatt smile, her pure joy of life and her profound faith that God was always listening.

Jenny was preceeded in death by her many grandparents, favorite Uncle David, and her cherished step-father Charles (Chuck) Hartzheim.

She is survived by her extraordinary son Josiah Boettcher, her Mother Kathy (Charles) Hartzheim, her father Don (Rose) Kasten, her sisters: Juli Hartzheim (Jim Tease), Missy Kasten (Moonie), Dawn Kasten, Stacey Verstegen, and Angela Kasten (Stacy Zarembski), her brothers: Steve (Katie) Hartzheim and Cody (Lynette) Kasten. She is further survived by her many amazing nieces: Katie (god child), Lexi, and Baylee Ahrens, Sydney and Savannah Hoffman (Maeve, great niece), Alaina, Natalie, and Meredith Hartzheim, , Myranda Hazlet (Emmet, great nephew), Faith and Jenna Kasten, and a nephew: Charles (CJ) Hartzheim.

Our family would like to express our deepest gratitude to Nicole and Katie of Compassus Hospice whose care and kindness will be remembered forever, the nursing staff at St. Elizabeth Hospital, and Faith Herrling of Wichmann Funeral Home who was instrumental in helping our family get through this devastating loss. We also wish to extend a special thank you to the George Albrent Family. In Jenny’s honor, all memorials will be donated to Bubolz Nature Preserve.

Goodbye for now, Dearest Jenny. We will let the memory of you be of happy times, laughter, bright sunny days, and monarch butterflies.