Memorial plaque hanging at the new Library.
When Janis Kaiser gave the Kaste building to the library in 2007, she thought they would use her building as a new library. She was pleasantly surprised when a whole new building came alive where the Kaste Store had stood.
The Kaste family were old timers in Havre and Big Sandy. Janis' grandfather had a cigar store in Havre right next to the Havre Hotel. In 1942 her father Walt Kaste started a store in Big Sandy where the Senior Citizens Center is today and then moved to the McNamara Big Store and Janis and Dennis Reichelt moved the store into the building that Janis Kaiser donated to the library. It was the Vets Club before it became the Kaste store.
As to the finished library that bears her son's name, Janis Kaiser said, "It is beautiful. I am pleased that it is named in honor of my son. The three library ladies, Dee Pribyl, Marlys Ray and Ann Quinn made it all happen and I know that Jeff is looking down thinking it is just wonderful."
Jeff Reichelt by his mother, Janis Kaiser.
Jeffrey Allen Reichelt was born in San Francisco, California on September 18, 1964 to Jack and Janis (Kaste) Dansie. In January of 1965 they moved to Big Sandy where they purchased Kaste's Department Store from Janis' Mother, Christy Kaste. Christy's husband Walt had passed away in February of 1962 and she was ready to sell the store and home. Dennis Reichelt adopted Jeff and his brother Mark shortly after he and Jan were married in 1977. Jeff graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1983. He was such a kind and loving boy. If there ever was a child or even a "stray animal" that needed a place to go, Jeff would always bring them home with him. Jeff's favorite pastime was reading. He was a "regular patron" at the Big Sandy Library. He loved his books and hoped to someday become a writer or author. He enrolled in journalism at the University of Montana in the fall of 1983 and planned to graduate in the spring of 1987. On a trip home to Big Sandy from Missoula on July 21, 1986 a young boy in a pick-up swerved into Jeff's lane and hit him "head on" and took his life. Shortly after, Dennis and Jan bought the Vets Club building and land. Jeff's insurance settlement was used to remodel this building into the new Kaste's Department Store. Because of this they always thought of it as "Jeff's Store". Jan lost Dennis to cancer and later married Ed Kaiser. They lived part time in Montana and part time in California where Ed was employed. This made trying to run a business in Montana very difficult. In 2007 they made a mutual decision to donate "Jeff's Store" to be used as the new site for the Big Sandy Library in memory of Jeff.
It would be so great if Jeff could be here to see this beautiful new library building, but we feel that he's probably already been watching and loving it.
Jeff by Janis Kaiser
The greatest loss that you've ever known
Is the loss of a child you called your own.
When he was born you were so glad
You loved him so, this little lad.
You watched his life with pride and joy
Through the good and the bad, he was still your boy.
The simple things, he loved so much;
A game, a talk or a gentle touch.
You watched him grown into a young man
Not always agreeing with every plan.
Yet always knowing that he would succeed,
You always tried to be there in times of need.
To others in need he always reached out
To him this was what life was all about.
His friends have said, "No matter where",
When they needed him "he was always there."
You never dreamed at just twenty-one
His life would end, when it should have begun.
It's hard to express the hurt that you feel
That without him your life seems so unreal.
His loving heart and gentle ways
You'll not forget, throughout your days.
You wonder how your heart can ever bear
The "special times" when he won't be there.
You can only pray that the Lord above
Will give him His eternal love.
