Patricia Nadine Kastl

Patricia Nadine Kastl (Black)

Dec 27, 1949 – June 18, 2025

Patricia Nadine Kastl, age 75, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, in El Paso, Texas. She was married for 55½ years to Frank Ernest Kastl and was a devoted wife, the best mom to seven children, grandmother to nine grandchildren—affectionately known as “Grandma Pat”—a loving daughter, sister, and a wonderful friend. She will be dearly missed.

Patricia grew up in West Texas and graduated from Permian High School in 1969. Although she lived in the heart of “Friday Night Lights,” she never attended the games—she was too busy selling tickets at the local carnival, where she met her future husband, Frank E. Kastl.

Frank and Pat were married in 1969, and in early 1971, they had their first of 7 children. In the early years, they traveled all over the southwest with Frank’s family’s carnival and finally settled in El Paso, Texas, just before the second child started Kindergarten. Pat never had imagined being married. Her dream was to be “an old maid school teacher or a judge,” that is, until she met Frank E. Kastl, the love of her life and the only person she ever thought worthy of marrying. Her love for him changed the entire trajectory of her entire life. A life she would not have changed for anything. She would tell you, “Life was not always perfect; we did not have much money, but we were never poor.” She also would say we are blessed and able and must do the best we can with the gifts God blessed us with.

While Pat Kastl’s role as a wife, mother, and grandmother often meant she was a chauffeur, teacher, nurse, confidant, therapist, helper, seamstress, cheerleader, critic, manager, chef, and consummate educator—not only for her own children and grandchildren but for many others—she embraced every role with love and purpose. Mrs. Kastl was the epitome of motherhood. She respected her children and grandchildren and saw greatness in them, even when they could not yet see it in themselves.

Pat was the mom that all our friends called “Mom.” She was not only the kind of mom we wanted to be like, but the kind our friends wanted to emulate as well. She was a role model to other parents and grandparents—she set the bar high.

Mom’s cooking is something all of her children loved, and her daughters-in-law aspire to recreate in weekly meals and at holidays. “Grandma Pat” was famous for her tacos (which longtime friend and neighbor Carmen Porras inspired her to make), her chicken almond, her green chili casserole, tuna patties, among so many other healthy, nutritious, but cost-conscious meals. Grandma Pat’s desserts were our favorites: her mother-in-law’s Christine Kastl’s Angel food cake and her secret ingredient frosting, her marshmallow fudge, absolutely amazing divinity, German chocolate cake, fudge marble cake, and who can forget her signature pineapple upside-down cake.

Mom, although not college-educated, was very well read and was better at Jeopardy than anyone ever. When her children were in high school, she would re-read the books with them and encourage thought-provoking discussions and help us prepare for our discussions in or classrooms the next day. Although money was scarce, Pat had seven children to care for. While her husband was busy working out of town ten months out of the year, she was resourceful and always did what had to be done. She taught us not to feel sorry for ourselves and do what needed to be done to get to where we wanted to go. She taught us not to feel sorry for ourselves as is evidenced by the story her son Richard often talks about, how our mother taught him how one blessed should live their lives. Mom went into the store one hot day; Richard was left in the car. He was feeling sorry for himself and angry that his mom wouldn’t let him go in, so he rolled the window up and began to get hot and sweaty. When Mom returned, he exclaimed, “How could you leave me in the car?” With out missing a beat or an having an ounce of remorse, she said, “Role down the window, you jacka**. You are blessed with an able body and intellect, use it!” “Role down the window, you jacka** is a coined phrase in our family. You are in control of your own success and destiny, life is not always fair. Do not wait for someone to save you, you are responsible for your own happiness. It embodies what her mother-in-law Christine Kastl taught her -Life is what you make it – make it a good one.

Pat’s talents did not stop there. She was also an entrepreneur, a survivor, and someone who could make gold from straw. When money was tight, she took a cotton candy machine and a “Tubs of Fun” carnival ride and worked local fiestas and carnivals, including St. Joseph’s Carnival, Fiesta de las Flores, and the San Elizario and Clint Bazaars. She led by example, instilling confidence and a strong work ethic in all of us.

When Pat and Frank’s last child was of school age, Pat started substitute teaching at Canutillo ISD. While she substituted for all grades, she most often taught for Mr. Nolan, the SAC teacher at Canutillo High School. Even the most challenging students respected her because she respected them. Mrs. Kastl had such a positive impact on the SAC students that the district offered her a full-time job after Mr. Nolan passed away. While she was flattered and seriously considered accepting the position, she declined. Canutillo was fully aware she did not have a degree, but knew she was the best person for the job. However, Mrs. Kastl felt that a college degree was truly necessary. She also realized that soon her own children would be having children, and she wanted to make time to be “Grandma Pat,” and an amazingly awesome Grandma Pat she was.

In addition to taking care of her grandchildren, Pat also took care of her husband, Frank Ernest Kastl, when he got injured in 1995 and again when he had cancer in 2010. Her priority was always her husband, their children, and their grandchildren. She never made herself a priority; her children, grandchildren, and husband always came first.

Patricia is preceded in death by her sons, Ernest Randolph Kastl and Daniel Vincent Kastl; her siblings, Danny Randolph Black and Elaine Joy; and her parents, Randolph Black and Oma Nadine Hall. She is survived by her husband, Frank E. Kastl; and their children: Kristina Nadine “Krisi” Kastl (Sean Sullivan), Frank E. Kastl (Kay), Gregory A. Kastl (Erica Macias), Robert D. Kastl (Misti), and Richard J. Kastl (Stella). She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Joe E. Kastl, Kylie M. Kastl, Katherine E. Kastl, Kalista N. Kastl, Gavin P. Kastl, Jacob A. Kastl, Peyton C. Kastl, Kaden L. Kastl, and Kaitlynd M. Kastl.

Patricia is further survived by many extended family members and friends who will cherish her memory, including her brother-in-law Joe; sister-in-law Annie; nephew Cameron (Harper); niece Ashley; grandniece Marley; grandnephews Henley and Cooper Kastl of Arizona; her husband’s cousins; her dear friends Louise and Frances Lake of El Paso, Texas; cousins Jim and Stephanie Morris of Colorado; as well as brother-in-law John, sister-in-law Mary Lou Kastl, and nephew John Thomas of Wisconsin and so many other extended family and friends.

Her Memorial Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, November 24, 2025, at Sunset Funeral Homes–West, with a Holy Rosary commencing at 5:30 p.m. Her Funeral Mass will follow on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, at St. Patrick Cathedral at 10:45 a.m., with a celebration of life luncheon to follow.

Services are entrusted to Sunset Funeral Homes–West, 480 N Resler Dr, El Paso, TX 79912.

Please visit her online memorial at www.sunsetfuneralhomes.net.