Obituary: Donald Casler | SierraSun.com

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Donald Casler Provided Photo

May 30, 1932 – June 2, 2023

On June 2nd, 2023, our beloved father, Don Casler, passed away peacefully in the arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived in his home, surrounded by his family until his peaceful passing.

Don was born in Chicago Illinois on May 30th, 1932. At the age of 5, his mother, Elenore, moved him and his older brother, Buddy, from Chicago Illinois to Hollywood Ca. Don graduated from Mark Keppel High School, in Alhambra CA in 1950. He met our mother, Diana Jean Frantz in high school and married her in 1953. They had five children, Denise, Doreen, David, Danny and Doug. At the time of his death, dad had five grandchildren, Mike (wife Megan), Andrea (wife Jerry), Sydney (wife Stephen), Jake (wife Satu) and Sierra, and four great-grandchildren, Maverick, Kate, Molly, and Stone. His granddaughter Sydney is expecting her fifth great-grandchild in late July 2023. No man loved his children and grandchildren more than our father. He often says that we are the richest part of his life.

He was a tool and die maker until he obtained his Real Estate License in 1960. He was elected to the Covina Board of Realtors in 1966 and voted Director of the year in 1966 and 1968, and State Director of the California Real Estate Assoc. in 1968. He was co-owner of Armor Realty in West Covina. She is active in the Lions club, and a member of the PTAs of West Covina High, Merced and Cameron Schools. Don is on ski patrol at Mt. Baldy in So. Calif. From 1955 to 1973. That made it possible for his family to ski for free and stay in the big Ski Patrol cabin every weekend. So many happy memories were made in that cabin. They taught us to ski as soon as we could walk. Don and Diana were instrumental in putting on the Annual Ski Swap at So. Calif, making it possible for families like theirs to buy used ski equipment. They have also been members of the Grindelwald Ski club since the 1950’s and later traveled to Switzerland with members of that club in 2004. During the summer months we can be found waterskiing on various lakes in So. Calif. or camping in our camper somewhere in the Western United States. How they had the strength for all that we don’t know, but we are so grateful for the amazing childhood they gave us.

In 1973 Don and Diana moved their family of seven to their new home on Donner Lake, in Truckee CA. So leave. Calif was not easy, it meant leaving behind Don’s mother, his beloved brother Buddy, his wife Nevada and their nine children. We are a very tight family, and separation is difficult. But they want to move their family to the mountains to be closer to all the outdoor sports we enjoy. Living right on Donner Lake meant we water skied all summer, and with mom working at Squaw Valley, we snow skied all winter for free. We have enjoyed an amazing life because of their hard work and dedication to their family. Dad originally went to work for Boice Countryside Realty, but later opened his own office, Don Casler Realty in downtown Truckee. He developed 80 acres of land in 1-2 acre parcels with underground utilities known today as the Ponderosa Ranchos. He then turned the old yellow gas station in front of the Gateway Motel into the Century 21 Real Estate Office. A few years later he built the Century 21 Building on the site of the old A & W across from the Fire Station and middle school.

When he moved to Truckee he continued as a member of the Truckee Lions Club, serving as President several times over the years. Both he and my mother are passionate about serving their community to help the less fortunate. Our mother Diana served in the Lioness Club and Soroptimist club. They have organized many fundraisers over the years that bring help to those in need, one of their favorite fundraisers is the Annual Bingo and Spaghetti Feeds put on by the Lion’s and Lioness club to raise funds for the senior meals on wheels program. Dad was instrumental in bringing the annual Sled Dog race back to Truckee for many years. When we moved to Truckee, there was no Buddy Warner Ski program in Truckee so they drove my brothers to Tahoe City to participate. Tired of commuting to the lake, my dad decided to start the Truckee chapter of the Buddy Warner Ski program. He pitched the idea to the general manager at Park and Rec, got sponsors to fund the program, and asked parents to teach the kids. Dad was a ski coach in that program for years, and he loved it. Dad also coached little league teams for many years both in So. Calif and here in Truckee. Years later, kids who played on his teams would periodically call to stay in touch. He also served on the Ski Patrol at North Star and Squaw Valley for many years. He was the section chief for several years including the year the Tram derailed in 1978. He was a key member of the team that rescued the victims stranded on the derailed Tram. Dad helped found the DARE program at Truckee High School in the 80’s and 90’s designed to educate youth about the dangers of drugs. Dad is also known for his acting skills. He played a major role in the play Oklahoma in So. Calif, and has played various roles with the Truckee Follies over the years. He also enjoyed building award winning floats and participating in the Truckee 4th of July Parades in the 70’s and 80’s. Dad’s love for playing Poker was legendary. He likes to play with family and friends, and in tournaments in casinos. Family gatherings centered around playing poker, games of Tripoley or Mexican Train, lots of laughter and good food.

These are just highlights of some of the contributions our parents made to our lives and to our beloved Town of Truckee. We are proud and grateful for the incredible sacrifices they make to improve our lives and the lives of so many in our community. Dad had an incredible zest for life, love for family and friends, and a wonderful sense of humor that made him a joy to be around. We miss our parents so much, but we rejoice in the blessed certainty that we will see them again one day.

We would like to thank Kari Wurst and Bernie Hunt along with Heidi, Alena, and all the wonderful staff of the Tahoe Forest Hospice Dept. for their loving care of our father. They made it possible for us to keep dad in his home and we are forever grateful for everything they did for dad and our family.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Don on Saturday August 19 @ 12 noon at our family home in Donner Lake. We invite everyone who knows our father or our family to please join us. Please bring a salad or dessert to share. Please call Doreen @ 530-320-8131 for details.

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