Peter Kastner

Peter Louis Kastner, 25, formerly of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, died from complications of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. Peter was a Marine Veteran who served our country during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Peter was born November 8, 1984 in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Larry and Sara (Ebert) Kastner. He graduated from White Bear Lake High School in 2003. He entered the U.S. Marine Corps in July of 2003.

Peter distinguished himself as an outstanding Marine. He graduated from boot camp in San Diego from Platoon 1010 and earned the Platoon High Physical Fitness Test perfect score of 300. During his first tour in Iraq in 2004, Peter was chosen to work with the Army Special Forces detachment to assist in intelligence gathering operations in the Al Anbar Province and was awarded the Army Achievement Medal. On Peter's second tour in Iraq in 2006, Peter had attained rank as Sergeant and was a Squad Leader. He was promoted to Convoy Commander, a position usually held by a Staff Non-Commissioned Officer. He acted as a direct advisor to the Company Commander regarding convoy operations in Ar Ramadi. His commanders said of him, "Peter was the top Sergeant in all of F Company, conducted missions while wounded and continually put his Marines before himself, undoubtedly saving the lives of many in his convoy without regard for his own. His performance proved him to be the bravest of leaders."

Peter's medals included The Army Achievement Medal and the Purple Heart for his head injuries sustained in three roadside bomb (IED) attacks.

After his honorable discharge from the Marines in 2007, Peter made plans to complete his college degree in Accounting. He had enrolled in the University of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City.

Peter was happily married to Raquel Kestner of St. Paul for three years.

He is survived by his parents, Larry and Sara Kastner of Chippewa Falls; his sister, Jennifer (Daniel) Tavernier; two nieces, Louella and Emma Tavernier, all of Boston, MA; his grandmother, Mary (Glen) Scheurn of Huntsville, AR; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Alvin and Vera Ebert of Chippewa Falls; and his grandfather, Donald Kastner of Dallas, TX.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Zion United Methodist Church, 1102 Superior St. in Chippewa Falls with Rev. Ann Scott officiating. Burial with military honors provided by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will be in Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Memorials in Peter's honor may be directed to The Disabled American Veterans.

Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel, Chippewa Falls is serving the Kastner family.

Visit pedersonvolker.com to express online condolences.

Afterservice

A memorial service for Peter Louis Kastner, 25, formerly of White Bear Lake, Minn. was held at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Zion United Methodist Church in Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Ann Scott officiated and music was provided by organist, Jackie Gibbs and vocalists, Dr. Edward Ebert, Dan Tavernier and Doug Parker.

Interment followed at Forest Hill Cemetery in Chippewa Falls. Full military honors were conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council and Alec Bohan bugled Taps.