Roger M. Kasa, Sr., age 83, of Huron, passed away Friday, May 25, 2018, at the Violet Tschetter Memorial Home. His funeral service was held at 10:00 AM, Wednesday, May 30th at Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Burial was in the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. A memorial fund has been established at American Bank and Trust for an education scholarship fund in Roger's name.
Roger Kasa was born December 4, 1934, in Northfield, Minnesota, to Henry and Helen (Haugen) Kasa. In 1957, he graduated from Augustana University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology. On February 4, 1957, Roger married the love of his life whom he met while attending Augustana, Oralee (McLane) in Madison.
While living in Madison, Roger began work as a social worker for the SD Department of Public Welfare. In 1965, he followed his passion and joined the Huron Daily Plainsman as a City Editor. He was promoted to Managing Editor in 1968.
As his professional career grew, earning him many awards for news stories and editorials, so did his involvement in community activities. Roger has served 3 terms on the Huron Area Chamber of Commerce board, served as President of the Community Counseling and a member of the board for the Greater Huron Development Cooperation, Huron Park and Recreation, Our Home Discovery, Adult Day Care Center, Huron Hockey Association and Huron Little League Baseball, with the complex named in his honor. He was chairman of the John Wesley White Crusade for Central SD in 1989 and chairman and founder of Campbell Park family activities. Roger wasan active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church and directed the church choir for many years. He was instrumental with the Huron High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the HYAC (Huron Youth Advisory Council). While serving on the Lake Byron board, he brought in the Cat Fish Bay Ski Team to Lake Byron and Lake Ravine. He was also a committee member that brought in the Chautauqua, which was instrumental in the Mayday 281 Music festival. Roger was active with many other organizations.
Roger was named South Dakota Newsman of the year - 1976, SD Volunteer of the Year - 1988, Masons Distinguished Citizen of the year - 1988, Governor's Neighbor Helping Neighbor - 1988, was inducted to the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 2005 and earned many additional awards.
Grateful for having shared his life are his daughters, Melinda Houghtaling of Yale and Lisa (Paul) Wolf of Huron; his sons, Michael (Cindy) Kasa of Huron, Roger Jr, (Roxanne) Kasa of Sioux Falls, and John (Diana) Kasa of Dallas, Texas; and his brother, Jerry (Joan) Kasa of Roseville, Minnesota.
Roger will also be missed by his grandchildren, Jeff (Debby) Houghtaling of Doland, Jody Houghtaling of Huron, Greg (Cami) Houghtaling of Rockham, Bobbi (Skip) Schnathorst, Sarah (Chad Almond) Wolf, Ryan (Rachael) Kasa, Kyle (Samantha) Kasa, allof Huron, Melissa Kasa of Mankato, MN, McKennah Kasa, Kassidy Kasa, both of Sioux Falls and Kelli Jones of Chicago, Illinois.
He also shared his life with his great-grandchildren, Valorie Houghtaling, Kylee Small, Ryder and Skyler Casper-Houghtaling, Lanna Houghtaling, Camille and Ophelia Houghtaling, Zander Wolf, June Grovenburg, Attila, Aurora, Samantha, and Olivia Schnathorst, Ariana and Kylie Kasa.
He was proceeded in death by his parents, and his wife of 59 years, Oralee Kasa.