Rebecca Kastner Obituary

Rebecca Jon Diltz Kastner

October 10, 1944 – July 7, 2025

A native of Altus, Oklahoma, who spent her initial childhood years in Quanah, Texas, Rebecca Jon Diltz was the daughter of Johnnie and Evah Jo Diltz. Two years older than her brother Jack, Rebecca from an early age demonstrated a God-given-and remarkably enormous-capacity to care and serve for others, often cooking meals in a family that was running two small businesses. For the rest of her earthly life, this capacity would remain a hallmark, reputation, and legacy of Rebecca; her thoughtful, unconditional, gift-giving love impacted many lives.

One of the beneficiaries of her devotion and love is, of course, her husband Curtis Kastner. As a sophomore, Rebecca met Curtis in Spanish class at Altus High School, and the two lovebirds would spend the remainder of high school and college exchanging handwritten love letters. This ability-to author thoughtful notes-was an inspired, spiritual gift that over the decades has appeared on innumerable cards, sticky notes, inside front-covers of books, and backs of portraits.

Both Oklahoma State University graduates, Rebecca and Curtis married on August 6, 1966, and spent the first few years of marriage in Stillwater and Perry, Oklahoma (where Rebecca taught third and fourth grade as well as Head Start); Petersburg, Virginia (where Curtis was briefly stationed); and then Pullman, Washington (1971-75). In Pullman, they became parents of two sons Jason and Justin, who they raised in Manhattan and who-along with their wives Marti and Susie and (grand) children Ellie, Josie, Ian, and Sally-have reaped the benefits of Rebecca's prayers, wisdom, unconditional love, and abiding presence.

A godly woman who looked to the Bible for strength and comfort, Rebecca was a cornerstone member of the Manhattan Church of Christ. In addition to loads of teaching and ministry involvement, she superintended, organized, and "made happen" hundreds of wedding and baby showers over a life of Christian service. Yet Rebecca's reputation as a Christian was not confined to the congregation at 2510 Dickens Avenue, for she was a blessing throughout her community. The word "blessing" cannot begin to fully encapsulate the degree of meaning she has had in so many people's lives.

Her grandchildren, who knew her well, are grateful for a role model and comforting inspiration for how to live one's life and someone who is the embodiment of compassion and purpose. They celebrate the life of a strong yet tenderhearted lady, a warmhearted grandmother who was always bringing others together, and an example of how to be generous without hesitation. Thoughtfully devoted and loving to each person in a unique way, she could point out every person in a photo album and tell a story for each of them! With every letter or gift she gave, she included pictures with notes inscribed on the back, detailing the importance of the memory. To know Gran was to love her, and to want to do good like her! She was, at once, confident and resilient and sassy and hilarious. A truly beautiful gift from God!

As both a gift-giver and a gift herself, it was fitting that she forged some of her deepest friendships at the Country Gift Shop, where she got to "play" at "work!" Mom was rich in friendship, truly. During the final years of her earthly life, the rooms at Good Shepherd Hospice and, most recently, Foundation Park were consistently trafficked by long-time friends who came to honor her.

Rebecca's closing moments in life involved holding hands with Curtis, the love of her life for the last six decades. He survives along with a grateful family: brother Jack Diltz and wife Jan of Altus, Oklahoma; son Jason and wife Marti of Manhattan; son Justin and wife Susie of Manhattan; and grandchildren Ellie, Josie, Ian, and Sally.

The family will greet friends during a visitation on Friday July 11, 2025 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan.

Funeral services will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday July 12, 2025 at the Manhattan Church of Christ in Manhattan, with the interment following at the Sunrise Cemetery.

Contributions in memory of Rebecca may be made to - Foundation Park, 4915 Colbert Hills Drive, Manhattan, KS 66503 c/o Rebecca Kastner Memorial or the Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice House, 3801 Vanesta Drive, Manhattan, KS, 66503.