Deacon Don Kostecki

Deacon Donald Francis Kostecki, 63, of Topeka and San Ignacio, Belize, was shot and killed March 11, 2005. Don was born March 24, 1941 in St. Louis. He earned his B.S. in Professional Meteorology from St. Louis University and his M.S. in Water Resources Science from the University of Kansas. He was ordained as a deacon on July 31, 2004 in Sacred Heart Parish, San Ignacio, Belize, Central America. From 1962-64 he was a weather observer/pilot briefer with the National Weather Service. After graduating from St. Louis U. he went down to Belize as a Papal Volunteer and taught secondary school for two years. From 1966-68 he was a graduate teaching assistant at KU in the Dept. of Geography. He worked as a hydrologist/meteorologist with Kansas Water Resources Board and then with the KS Dept. of Transportation. He was then a water structures hydrologist/environmental scientist with the KS Dept. of Agriculture until 2001 where he retired from. After retirement he worked as a disaster assistance employee with FEMA until 2004. From then until his death, Don taught theology at Sacred Heart Junior College in San Ignacio and served as a deacon for the parish of Sacred Heart and surrounding villages. In San Ignacio he was a member of the Full Gospel Businessmen, and something very close to his heart, was the Faith and Justice Commission which he was heading. In November of 1968, Don and Netti Figueroa were married. She survives along with her children, Anthony Kostecki, Fort Worth, Alicia Kostecki and her husband, Robert Schlachter, Chicago, Aaron Kostecki, New Orleans, Adrienne Kostecki, Topeka, and Adam Kostecki, Lawrence. Don was cremated in Belize. A wake and mass was held, and a portion of his remains was encased in a memorial built for him, on the grounds of Sacred Heart Church in San Ignacio. In Topeka, a memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Apr. 9, at St. Matthews Church 2700 SE Virginia. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the Mass. Inurnment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Sacred Heart Church in Belize, sent in care of Kevin Brennan Family Funeral Home, 2801 SW Urish Rd, Topeka, KS 66614. A new parish hall, to be used for adult education and parish gatherings, is planned in Deacon Don’s memory in Belize. The memorial contributions will be used for this purpose.

Deacon Don Kostecki

March 24, 1941 - March 11, 2005