Mary A. Schultz Kasten Palmer, age 95, of Tomah, Wisconsin, passed away Friday, November 29, 2024, at the Serenity House in Tomah. She was born to Leonard M. and Kathryn A. (Linenburg) Schultz in La Crosse, Wisconsin. In her earlier years she lived in the Tomah/Warrens area, later in Albany, New York and Largo, Florida.

In 1949, she married Donald W. Kasten of Warrens at St. Mary’s Catholic Rectory. They farmed in Warrens until 1962, when they moved to Tomah, with sons William, Michael, Russell, Raymond and Debbie. Mary was employed at WTMB Radio and later as a Medical Secretary at the VA Medical Center until her retirement in November 1979. She and Donald also owned and operated the Robo Car Wash from 1968-1978. Donald preceded Mary in death in 1983, in Largo, FL. In 1990, she married Monte Palmer of Albany, NY. Monte preceded her in death in July of 2024.

Mary enjoyed volunteer work with hospice and St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, where she was also active with the Good Grief Support Group. She volunteered with Hospice and Lake Seminole Hospital in Florida, and was an active Charter Member of the Seminole Community Players in Seminole, FL. She was a member of the Upper Pinellas Democratic Women’s Club in Florida, where she served as Chaplain and Corresponding Secretary and she volunteered at her parish, St. Justin Martyr in Seminole. Mary was also co-owner and Secretary of the Diamond Reef Yacht Club on the Mohawk River, Cohoes, New York, and she was a member of the National Catholic Society of Foresters, Court #1006 for over 70 years.

Mary dearly loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great- grandchildren and worked with Genealogy to complete one book for them about their heritage and one book about “The Story of My Life”. She endured great pain with arthritis throughout her life, in addition to diabetes, neuropathy and many other health problems. She enjoyed water aerobics, Tai Chi and yoga. She was always considerate of those in need and was a lover of animals, tending to strays and assisting in finding homes for them, as well as adopting strays into her home.

Mary is survived by three sons, William A. of Onalaska, Michael L. of Walnut Creek, CA, Russell M. of Tomah, and one daughter, Debbie L. Wells of Seminole, FL, two daughters-in-law, Karen (William) and Myrna (Raymond), six grandsons, Bruce, Jason, Jared, Scott, Robert and Michael J. and two granddaughters, Jenny Kasten Bell and Kristin Wells; eleven great-grandchildren, Ashlie, Kirstie, Tahnie, Jessica, Hailey, Zachariha, Jacques, Genevieve, Felix, Porter and Cameron; five great-great-grandchildren, Grace, Azaileo, Dejalina, Arkyn and Talli Rae; along with nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Donald W. Kasten, her second husband, Monte Palmer, her son, Raymond L. Kasten, great grandson, Mason James Kasten, her parents, Leonard and Kathryn, brother and sister-in-law, John and Leah Schultz, in-laws, William and Esther (Prell) Kastens, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jeanne (Donald) Snippen, son-in-law, Henry Wells, and a niece and nephew.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Tomah Hospice Touch program for the wonderful care given to Mary.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 11:00 a.m. at Queen of the Apostles Parish in Tomah. Father Ethan Hokamp will officiate. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Tomah. Family and friends are invited for visitation on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the church. The Torkelson Funeral Home of Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.