Joan Claire Westmoreland Kasteler

Joan Claire Westmoreland Kasteler was born on July 6, 1936, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the oldest daughter of Richard Hyrum Westmoreland and Kathryn Naisbitt. Joan grew up in Rose Park where she met her four best friends, Virgina, Bev, Anne, & Carol. Joan and her friends shared secrets and dreams as girls, supported each other through marriage and motherhood, and remained close even today. While at West High School, Joan served as a class officer before graduating in 1954. After high school, she attended and graduated from the University of Utah, majoring in Home Economics.

While at the U, Joan attended a church dance where she met Darrell Lee Kasteler. The two soon became sweethearts and were married on June 11, 1958, in the Salt Lake Temple. Darrell was in the Air Force and shortly after their marriage, they moved to Arizona, where they lived for several years before moving back to Utah.

In 1961, Joan and Darrell purchased their home on Stratford Avenue in Sugarhouse. Together they raised their family, welcoming children and grandchildren to this home for more than 60 years. Having lived in the same area for so long, Joan has many close friends in the neighborhood. Many of her friends have already passed on, but we are confident she is enjoying their company once again.

Joan is the mother of five children – four boys and one girl. Even with a busy family to care for, Sunday dinner was a special occasion each week. She cooked a great meal and flawlessly set her dining table with good china and silver.

Joan was also a talented seamstress. Her family enjoys many blankets, Christmas tree skirts, and tablecloths sewn just for them. She also enjoyed knitting and has passed down several precious items that she carefully knitted. Whether good food or handmade items, Joan showed love through her talented hands.

While her children were young, Joan began the tradition of Christmas Brunch. On Christmas morning the table was piled high with ham logs, egg casserole, sweet rolls, fruit, and rich hot chocolate. Christmas Brunch continues to be a cherished family tradition. The menu remains the same as a sweet reminder of a loving mother who wanted to create something special for her family.

One of Joan’s favorite activities was being involved in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers. Joan came from a rich pioneer heritage and was proud to follow in her mother and grandmother’s footsteps as they also served in the D.U.P. Researching and sharing stories of her pioneer ancestors brought her much joy. She also enjoyed a special sisterhood with the other D.U.P. members.

Joan worked for IHC for many years in Senior Services, coordinating volunteers to act as Senior Companions for the elderly. For several years she served on the State Board of Aging and Adult Services, which gave her opportunities to travel throughout the state to visit senior centers. Later, she was appointed as a commissioner of the Salt Lake City Housing Authority. Joan enjoyed volunteering her time to both of these organizations.

Joan was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints her entire life. Through the years she served in the Young Women’s organization, as a Compassionate Service leader, and as the Relief Society President. Her calling in the Relief Society was one of her favorites, as she was able to serve the sisters in her area.

Along with serving in the Church, Joan sang with the Joyful Sounds choir for more than 15 years. This group of women used their voices to bring joy and share testimony with many throughout the Salt Lake Valley. Joan greatly enjoyed being a part of the choir.

In February 2000, Darrell passed away at the age of 69, leaving Joan a widow. Her heart was broken when her sweetheart left, but she was able to find joy in the arms of her grandchildren. Her grandchildren were always the light of her life. Many of them remember their “Special Day” with Grandma, where they got to spend the entire day alone with Grandma playing games, getting lunch, and shopping for a special toy. Joan loved and doted on each grandchild, making sure they could each feel how much she loved them.

Joan remained mobile and active until the last months of her life when she broke her leg. She valiantly faced surgeries, infections, and illnesses while struggling to recover from her leg injury. Although her spirit remained strong, her body weakened with each new ailment. She fought hard to remain here with her family, but early on the morning of March 17, 2023, Joan joined her husband, parents, and loved ones on the other side of the veil.

It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to our beloved mother and grandmother, but we know she is at peace and finally able to rest. We can only imagine the joy she feels to be surrounded by those that passed before.

Joan is survived by her five children: Bryan (Eileen) Kasteler, Dawn (Steve) Butters, Todd Kasteler, Mark (Jenn) Kasteler, and Christian (Rachel) Kasteler; along with 13 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren (with one more on the way). She is also survived by her four lifelong friends: Virginia, Bev, Anne, & Carol, who will miss her at their monthly lunches.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Darrell Kasteler, and her parents, Richard & Kathryn Westmoreland.

A viewing will be held on Sunday evening, March 26, 2023, from 6:30-8:30 at the Stratford Ward (2635 South 1500 East). The funeral will be on Monday, March 27, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. at the Stratford Ward Chapel (2635 South 1500 East), with a viewing from 10:00-10:45. Interment at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park in Millcreek, Utah.