Longtime educator Laverne S. Kastrul, nee Bocksenbaum, of Glendale died on Aug. 1 at age 83.
A Milwaukee native, she graduated from North Division High School in 1944 and Milwaukee State Teacher’s College in 1948. She spent most of her teaching career as a kindergarten teacher at Twentieth Street School in Milwaukee.
She “had a special way of reaching her students,” said her son Daniel Kastrul of Minneapolis. “She had a genuine passion for her work.”
Early in her teaching career, she taught first grade at Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue’s religious school. She was an active member of the congregation throughout her life and, in 1993, was part of the first group of women to hold bat mitzvah services there.
Among her special interests were playing mah jongg with her friends and creative writing. According to her family, “LaVerne had a creative flair for writing stories from her life experiences and was always pleased when one of her works was published.”
She was a life member of the Beth El Sisterhood, the Jewish Home and Care Center, Hadassah, B’nai B’rith, NA’AMAT and ORT. She was also a longtime active member of the Harry & Rose Samson Family Jewish Community Center.
She is survived by her husband of 61 years, Sidney Kastrul, son Daniel (Helen Henly) Kastrul; son-in-law James Sambol; and three grandchildren. Her daughter Judith Kastrul Sambol preceded her in death.
Blane Goodman Funeral Service arranged the funeral, which was held on Aug. 4 at Beth El. Burial was in Agudas Achim Cemetery.
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