Kevin Burton Callister, 77, of Meriden, MN, died peacefully with his family by his side on June 6, 2026, at Benedictine Living Community in Owatonna.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Kevin was born on October 30, 1948, in Owatonna, the son of Gale and Elizabeth (Knivsland) Callister. He attended school in West Concord and graduated with the Class of 1966. After high school, he continued working on the family farm and later was employed at Owatonna Tool Company, Foldcraft, and Wenger Corporation. He began his career with Wenger in 1979 and retired in 2015 after 36 years of dedicated service.
Kevin was united in marriage to Sharon Rundquist in 1966 and later divorced. Together they had four daughters, who were the joys of his life.
A longtime presence in the community, Kevin loved and was dedicated to being the high school line judge for his daughters' volleyball teams and refereeing adult volleyball for over 40 years, where he made many friends and became a beloved referee. He was an avid member of the West Concord Booster Club and never missed an event his children participated in. He was a dedicated supporter of daughter Jodi's softball teams and a favorite fan of the Four Seasons softball team in Owatonna. Kevin loved spending time at the family cabin in northern Minnesota, where he would race his girls up the steep driveway every time they challenged him. He had a lifelong appreciation for the arts and enjoyed music, drawing, reading, writing stories, and acting in productions at the Little Theatre of Owatonna (LTO). He was known for dressing up in crazy outfits for any occasion, never afraid to look a little ridiculous, and for his large collection of kooky ties.
He will be remembered for his large music collection, which his daughters quickly learned to play on the stereo (without skipping or scratching the records), as well as for his quick wit, humor, remarkable memory, storytelling, and generosity-especially for handing out candy and goodwill during his years at Wenger and for brightening people's days by giving them flowers. He wrote many personalized stories for his family, often filled with pirate ships and heroic adventures. He also shared very special relationships with his nieces, who cherish many memories and stories.
He is survived by his daughters: Tammy (Bruce) Barry, Terri (Guy) Finne, Melanie Callister (Art Kitchen), and Jodi (Holly Berg) Callister; grandchildren Elizabeth (Stephen), Collin (Emma), and Alex (Olivia); siblings Alan (Lori) Callister, Tim (Barb) Callister, and Susan Callister; nieces Meghan, Molly, Gail, and Jill; and his extended family, Edmund, Jenifer, and Jedi Palomares (who was his best friend).
He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter-in-law, Terri Grose; and his grandson, Samuel Finne.
As Kevin liked to say, he had "places to go, people to see, and things to do". Knowing him, he's already on the move. Please honor him by getting out there and doing the same.
