Kathleen Ellen Castell

Kathleen "Kat" Ellen Castell, age 74, passed away peacefully at her home in Scenic, AZ January 22, 2026.

She was born August 3rd, 1951 in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin to Theodore and Adelaide Loetz.

Kathy had the soul of a gypsy, heart of a hippie and the spirit of a cowgirl. She always had a free spirit and never stayed in one place for too long. Always looking for a new adventure and a change of scenery. She lived in many different cities and states across the country. She spent much of her life, caring for others and was always willing to help everyone any way she could.

Kathy met the love of her life, Larry Castell and they were soon married in 2007. They had many wonderful years together until his passing in 2019. She then moved to be close to her son, Jeremiah, in Scenic, AZ and spent most of her time traveling across the country to visit and care for her siblings.

In 1968, Kathy had a son. But due to her age and other circumstances, she had to give him up through adoption. Years later, in 1975, she was blessed with a daughter, Nevada Leigh Messling, who was born with spina bifida and Kathy gave her the best life she could. Then, in 1979, she had her youngest son, Jeremiah Daniel Sherman. They were 3 peas in a pod, though she always kept the son she never knew in her heart. In 2006, Nevada passed away due to complications from her medical condition. Kathy carried on despite her broken heart. In the fall of 2022, Kathy received an unexpected phone call that changed her life. It was her long lost son, Sean Craig Jenkins. Soon after, Kathy, Sean and Jeremiah were able to meet in a long-awaited reunion. Knowing her 2 sons were happy and healthy, brought her so much peace and happiness, and she finally felt complete.

Kathy was a loving mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend and will be missed by all who knew her. Kathy is preceded in death by her parents Theodore and Adelaide Loetz, her husband Larry Castell, her daughter Nevada Messling, her sister April Miller, her brothers Ted Loetz and Ned Loetz and her sister-in-laws Jo Loetz and Ann Loetz. She is survived by her sons Jeremiah (Kelli) Sherman and Sean Jenkins, her brothers Michael (LaDonna) Loetz and Bryan (Edward) Loetz and her sister Kelly Loetz.

A celebration of life for Kathy will be on March 7th, 2026 in Scenic, AZ.