Carol Elizabeth (Beth) Kastelan
September 12, 1938 ~ June 29, 2014
Carol Elizabeth (Beth) Kastelan passed away surrounded by her family on Sunday June 29, 2014 at the age of 75 years.
Beth was born in Hillcrest, Alberta on September 12, 1938. Her early years were spent in Hillcrest before moving with her mother to join her father who was working in Crawford Bay in 1945. Beth received her education in Crawford Bay and Creston, graduating from Prince Charles Secondary School.
She married Anthony (Tony) Kastelan on May 20, 1957. Together they ran their farm and orchard and raised their family. Their first child Carl was born in 1959, followed by Jeanette in 1960 and Sarah in 1963. Family life was busy with the farm and trips to Crawford Bay to visit Grandma and Grandpa Linn until Beth’s parents retired and moved to Erickson to live on the orchard as well.
As her children grew older, Beth began a career with School District No. 8 in Creston. She was a familiar and friendly face at Prince Charles Secondary School until finally working in the School Board Office until her retirement. During her employment with the School District, Beth was an active union member, taking on various roles within C.U.P.E. over the years.
Beth didn’t really retire though, as she then went on to work in the business established by her daughters. Wear Withall has been a Canyon Street fixture since 1980. In her later years Beth single-handedly ran the business and loved both the people and challenges that came with it. She was a proud member of the Downtown Business Association and always made sure the Town of Creston knew her thoughts on various matters.
Beth volunteered for various community organizations over the years, and most recently served as Chairperson for the Cresteramics Society for the Handicapped.
Beth was an avid sewer, knitter and crafter. Her nightshirts and pajamas were featured at the Christmas Craft Fair every year. One of her greatest joys in life was becoming a grandmother. She dearly loved spending time with her grandchildren and taught each of them to knit and sew. Her grandchildren loved spending time with her and at the family orchard.
She was a strong, caring and passionate woman who always fought for the underdog and what she believed to be fair treatment and opportunities for everyone.
She was pre-deceased by her parents Betsy and Carl Linn.
She will be greatly missed by Tony, her husband of 57 years; her children, Carl (Dina) Kastelan, Jeanette (Mike) Stenhouse, and Sarah (Dan) Miller; her grandchildren Sam and Sophie Kastelan and Marybeth Stenhouse.
As per Beth’s wishes there will be no memorial.
If anyone wishes to make memorial contribution, please contact: S.N.A.P. at 250 428 2811, or Central Kootenay Spay Neuter Animal Program Society, 1134 Simmons Rd., West Creston BC, V0B 1G7.