Berlyn William Staska passed away on June 13, 2024. He was 96 years of age. In his last weeks of life, he was visited by many friends and family at his home, at the hospital, at Koda, and Bridgewater Assisted Living. There were many compassionate caregivers that are appreciated by his family. He recently enjoyed many birthday cards from grand and great grandchildren on his 96th. Berlyn and his wife of 70 plus years, Kathy, lived great, long lives of dedication to family, church, and community service.

Berlyn (he became known to many as "Stack") was born on May 24,1928 in Owatonna, the son of William and Genevieve Staska. He married Kathleen C. Evans on March 24,1951 at the Associated Church. He attended grade school District 40 south of Owatonna at Steele Center. He graduated in 1946 from Owatonna High School. He worked at FW Woolworth, Stephenson Music Company and the Minnesota Highway Department prior to his enlistment in the US Air Force in 1950 where he became an instructor with 3450th Air Training Command teaching procurement and supply. He completed his four-year enlistment and was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Back home in Owatonna he began a 36-year career at Owatonna Tool Company as a Senior Buyer. He was a member of the Associated Church where he served on many committees.

He was a member of the Kiwanis Golden K Club serving in leadership positions. The Kiwanis Club of Owatonna awarded him the Hixon Award for his community service and his service to the club. He was a board member of Senior Place, the Owatonna Federation of Musicians Local 490 and the Faribault American Federation of Musicians Local 565. He played with AFM Local 490 Concert Band. Being one of the founders of the Owatonna Community Band in 1977, he retired in 2022 at the age of 94. He played with The Klecker Band over 40 years and with Laverne's Concertina Band for 18 years. With brother Norman he formed the Norm Staska Band from 1945 to 1950. Other musical groups included the Owatonna High School Band, and a musical group called the Hungary Five while in high school. He played with the Brass Renegades, the Owatonna Elks Concert Band, the Owatonna Elks Kibitzer Band, The River City Big Band and other local bands within the area. He was a board member of the Music Boosters of Owatonna. Berlyn Joined the Steele County Military Honor Guard in 1985. He was the Bugler for the Steele County Military Honor Guard for 39 years and had played "Taps" for about 3000 veterans' funerals within the area. He retired from the Honor Guard at age 94.

Berlyn was a member of the American Legion Post, the Owatonna American Legion Post 77 Grandfathers Club, the Steele County Historical Society, and the Owatonna Arts Center. He served as the first building coordinator and building supervisor and was a board member for the Steele County Habitat for Humanity for 25 years. He also served on the Owatonna building permit review board for nine years.

In 1995 Berlyn was a nominee for the Book of Golden Deeds. In 1986 Berlyn and Kathy were awarded the Owatonna Peoples Press "Shoulder to the Wheel" for doing volunteer work in Owatonna area. In 1998 and 2005 he was chosen as the Steele County Senior of the Year, and in 1998 placed second in the state of Minnesota as Senior Citizen of the Year. In 2008 he was Co-Chair with Music in Owatonna, which presented the Glenn Miller show at the Owatonna Airport. On June 19, 2010, at the first Harry Wenger Marching Band Festival, he was named as honorary chairperson.

Also in 2010 he was awarded the Virginia McKnight Binger Award for Volunteerism in the Community. Marshall honors include Memorial Day 2011, the Wenger Band Festival in 2015, and Grand Marshall of the OHS Homecoming Parade in 2023. Also, in 2023 Berlyn was named to the Owatonna Music Boosters Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his children, Kim (Robert) McDermott of Kasson, MN, Lynn (Charles) Reichert of Richmond, MN, Dawn Wolters of Owatonna, and Jay (Denise) Staska of Faribault, MN., 16 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. Also surviving him are brother Ronald (Claudette) Staska of Fate, TX. sister Sandra (George) Winzenburg of Blooming Prairie, MN, and sister-in-law Joan Staska of Minneapolis, MN. Preceding him in death, his wife Kathy, his mother and father, sisters Colleen (Ludwig) Borchert and Janet (Chuck) Frederick, and brother Norman Staska.

Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 at 11AM at Associated Church in Owatonna. A visitation will start one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Steele County Military Funeral Unit will provide military honors.