Les Kasten:
CLASS OF 1972
Washburn High SchoolClass of 1972
Minneapolis, MN
Southwest High SchoolClass of 1971
Minneapolis, MN
Les's Story
Life
After being "forced" in the Air Force, I left Mpls and ended up up in Las Vegas stationed at Nellis AFB. I was trained in Air Traffic Control Radar Repair. After my "wonderful wife of NINE whole days left me with our un-born child, I lost it. I proceeded to flunk out of school and was made a low life cook in the Air Force. I did quite well in my new career field with having a line number for E-5 at just over four years. Lonely and without a really good reason, I married my wife Vicki in 1973. I have one son with her, Eric, who is now 26. I left the USAF in 1976 however stayed in Las Vegas working first for Pepsi for three years in route sales and then becoming self employed running a metal cleaning operation and a Automotive Battery and Electrical Shop. I started my biggest business in 1981 which is rebuilding of railroad passenger cars (Amtrak type cars). We moved to Isle, MN in 1985 (I hated it, too cold) and we then moved to the St. Louis area in 1986 where I stayed until July of 2003. Vicki & I split at this time. I owned a large railroad passenger car (Amtrak cars) repair facility (15+ acres) and employed 20+ people at any given time. I sold the entire situation as of 9-2007. Thanks to everybody who put up with all my crap during high school. I've had two relationships with former high school sweethearts since returning in 2003,. Neither worked out and for that, on both counts, I am truly sorry. Long story....Les Kasten
PS: Update 8-2007! Well, I now live in Rosemount, Minnesota. I purchased a nice home on 4.59 acres and am semi-retired for the time being. Jim Eddy and I have become fast friends again and do many things (but not tearing up South Mpls!) and that's a good thing! I adopted a three-legged Pit Bull named Tres. She is pure dog and pure fun! Adopted another dog in December of 2005, Gilroy. He is an American Straffordshire Terrier (Pit-Boxer mix). Playmate for Tres! I have left my wife as we were never in Love. I had two children (Kyle 16 and Valerie 12) with a long term girlfriend named Mary Lancey. We are all together now, as we should have been! I've learned if you don't have true Love, you don't have anything. If you would like to contact me, please do so thru here. Would Love to see a lot of people from my past. Up here to stay.
PPS: Update: 8-2007 Now, my 22 year old son Eric has moved up here and is living in Burnsville. He is employed, happy and getting to know his brother and sister! He starts school this fall at Normandale. Life keeps changing! Jim Eddy and I still have our business called Paint Liquidators at 3869 Minnehaha Ave. South in Mpls. So much for my retirement! As always, having fun with cars. Am HARD into cars! I also just purchased a 1973 Harley Sportster trike! Take care!
Update: 10-2008: Have a new website called PontiacParadise.com As usual, I am knee deep in cars and loving it! The Coen Brothers just used my beautiful blue finished 1964 Catalina 2 door sedan in their new movie "A Serious Man". Look for it! And somebody said I never finish a car! Wrongo! Kyle is a senior at Rosemount High School and will attend Minnesota Art Institute in October of 2009. His sister Valerie started Rosemount High School this full as a full honor student! She is only 13. Here comes trouble! GOD will get me back for all the girls I had! Watch and see! Bought a 99 Harley Sportster and am riding as much as possible. Returned to work for the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad on April 28th. Got hurt at work on June 20th and am still out after surgery on my right foot. 17 stitches! Not sure when I will return yet. Eric is in college to become a policeman. My ex-wife Vicki, decided to sell the old family homestead in Edwardsville, IL and moved to Rosemount. Went to a 46th Street reunion at Jim Eddy's house in September 08. What a blast! Saw many people I haven't seen since 1972. Was hoping to see more but whatever. He is doing it again in 2010! Still hanging out with Les Kapaun. He is retired from the US Postal Service. Great guy! Still with Mary. She takes good care of me. She planted a 16' x 16' garden and we had tomatoes all summer long! Next year will be even better. Trying to enjoy my life, hope you are too. Take care.
Update: 2-2009: Still off work from the railroad. Looks like they don't want me to return. Kyle is doing great in school and I hope to send him to college next fall. Pretty worried about the economy and this new Presdient we have. Those of you who know me, know what I think of Democrats anyway. Tough times at the Paint Store too. Brian is a great guy and works hard. Take care. Les
Update: 9-2009: Wow! This year really sucks. Got in the middle of a dog fight between Gilroy & Boomer 5 weeks ago. In trying to get them apart, Gilroy damn near tore my left fore finger off. Boomer had to leave and go back to Underdog Rescue. Sad day here. The economy really sucks and it will get worse before it gets better. Considering moving to Sandpoint, Idaho next year. Sick of Minnesota Democrats and the massive influx of alliens. Sick of people trying to run my life and yes, the winter's are too harsh now. Kyle & Valerie may stay here to finish their schooling, not sure yet. The Sandpoint area is beautiful and is truly GOD's country. Minnesota, I tried, but I give up. I always knew I'd end up someplace out west in the mountains.
Am working on finishing my 1973 Harley Trike. I still have my 99 Sportster. My trike is solid black, real old school with lots of skulls! Can't ride much with my finger in the shape it's end. Still no job. Things are beyond tough.
10-2009: Brian has become a partner in the P...Expand for more
aint Store. My finger is still screwed up from the dogfight. Been over 10 weeks. Kyle started college on October 5th. Eric continues on his quest to becoming a cop. Proud of both of them! Valerie is still an Honor Student at Rosemount High. Excelling in Choir and will letter twice this year! She is always singing and so very happy. Working on cars when I can and trying to stay afloat! May have to postpone move to Sandpoint for now.
6-2010: Kyle is doing well in college, Valerie is still an Honor Student and is going to Paris on July 17th for 37 days. She is staying with our first exchange student Oreo! Eric is finishing school (law enforcement) and is currently doing an Internship with the Minnesota State Hiway Patrol! He was offered a job as a CSO by the Lakeville Police Department this past week. Les Kapaun continues to help me on so many things. He is a true friend. Still no job. My finger is barely useable. Still planning a move to idaho. Final court date is June 14th in front of the Illinios Appellate Court. 11 years this November, all for nothing. My Harley trike is almost finished. Photos soon! Happy summer to all!
11-2010: Broke my metatarsal bone in my right foot in September. More surgery. Now have 2.5" screw forever! Kids are about the same. Still waiting for that special girl to come back into my life forever. She knows who she is too. Still no word from the IL Appellate Court so my life is kinda on hold until that happens. Dreading winter. The elections went fairly well with the DFL and Democrats getting their asses handed to them nation-wide. Now if we can just seat Emmer as govenor, I might just stay here a bit longer and add on to my house. Found a new friend named Jim that lives in Hastings. He is helping me get some car work done when he can. Happy Thanksgiving and Merry CHRISTmas to all my friends and especially to that special girl.
11-2011: Paint Liquidators cease to exist on Feb 1. Glad that is over. Jim Eddy was stealing product and money from the store and was caught. Haven't heard boo out of him since he dropped his keys off. So much for friends. Tres is now 11 and Gilroy is 6, both are well. Working on Pontiacs and repro parts. Went back to work as a locomotive engineer this summer but could not stand my supervisor, a real jerk. Mary and I are done. She is leaving in June with Kyle to go back out on her own. Just waiting for Valerie to graduate Rosemount HS. 16 and a senior! Looks like she will be going to the U of M in Rochester in the bio-medical field. Anyway, Mary & I have been done for about two years now. Just here for the kids. Kyle is doing well in college. Things are tough here. My old flame Marian has a new guy in her life, and has for over a year. I wish them both all the luck in the world. I still hang out with her brother Les. My right leg continues to be a problem. Old age is coming on fast. As always this time of the year, I wish you and yours a Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year. And yes, I am still waiting for the Love of my life.
3-2012: Valerie has been accepted at Concordia in Moorhead. She has recieved $48K in scholarships. She is going to Switzerland, Germany, France and Italy at the end of March with the Rosemount Choir for 8 days! Kyle continues with his BA degree in sight. One more year. Eric has decided that a career in law enforcement was not his cup of tea and has gone back to school for a degree in the IT field. My right foot, ankle and lower leg continue to be a major problem. I may end up losing my little toe. Went to see the Moody Blues this past summer and had backstage passes & front row seats! Also saw J. D. Souther at the Dakota Jazz Club in downtown Minneapolis. Great show and great food. After the show, he signed my 12" DJ copy of "Go Ahead and Rain". One of my all time favorite songs! The economy sucks no matter what our stupid president says. And I thought president peanut was a turd. I cannot stand to drive around Minneapolis anymore because of all the towel heads and rug riders. Still trying to get out of here and move to Idaho before I die. Give me the mountains, at least 20 acres, my dogs, my cars, my guns, a buffalo or two, maybe some Alpcca and a good woman and I'll be happy! GOD help any Muslim that comes up my driveway. Tres & Gilroy are doing well, although Gilroy blew both rear legs and had to have severe surgery to repair. $5,500 worth of surgery. I Love my dogs! Things are really tough here and my health is really starting to go downhill.
Update September 27, 2012: Having a gastric sleeve operation October 4th at Fairview Southdale. They will remove 85% of my stomach. This will allow me to lose my 60+ pounds forever. This operation should solve most if not all of my medical issues other than my leg. Fighting Social Security with US Congressman John Kline for disability. Basturds....Hoping to move to Idaho around Cocollala, Coeur d'Alene or Sandpoint next summer. Minnesota sucks and it's getting worse. Valerie is doing well at Condordia. Miss her a lot. Kyle is still going the Insitute of Art and Eric is now on to IT work after chossing NOT to continue in law enforcement. Still waitng for that one girl to come back into my life OR find the right girl to live our lives in Idaho in the mountains. Tres is fine but Gilroy suffered a stroke and his left rear leg does not work well. Peper the cat passed away in September. He isa missed a lot. Not a big car person but he was really a cool cat. Before he passed, we aquirred another cat "Thunder". He is like most every other car....an asshole. Dogs have family, cats have staff! Les
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