Leonard Kasza

Leonard Kasza, 86, of Taos, NM passed away on August 9, 2023.  Leonard was born in Wiley, CO in 1937 to Paul and Gertrude Kasza.  Leonard is survived by his wife of 62 years, Katherine, sister Berna Rehyer of Rocky Ford, CO, son William and wife Vangie of Buda, TX, son Daniel of Hayden, ID, a daughter, 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces.  He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Marge Shoaf, and brother Ed Kasza.

Leonard grew up on the family farm in Wiley, Co.  In 1952, at age 15, Leonard was hired as the steel guitar player for the Ark-Valley Wranglers.  They were regulars on the live radio broadcast, The KLMR Shindig.  This began his lifelong passion as a musician and entertainer.  Following high school graduation in 1955, Leonard joined the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1958.  Leonard returned to Colorado, where he met the love of his life, Katherine Conty and wed Dec. 2, 1961.

Leonard and Kathy settled in Austin, TX in 1964.  It was in Austin, over the next 30 years, that he perfected his skills as a musician and artist.  He taught himself to play the Dobro and became a master of the instrument, playing and recording with Bluegrass legends of his time.  Leonard’s art was exhibited in Texas and New Mexico.  Leonard and Kathy retired to Taos, NM in 1995.

In Taos, Leonard had continued success as an artist, winning the People’s Choice Award at the Taos Fall Art Festival.  It was in retirement that Leonard rediscovered his love of the steel guitar and joined Kim and the Caballeros in 2006.  Leonard remained active in the local music scene for the remainder of his musical career.

Leonard loved God and Country, the Texas Longhorns and Dallas Cowboys, the Lone Star State and Willie Nelson.  He was an accomplished musician, artist, and writer.  His humor and wit was unparalleled and his attention to detail, data, and facts was masterful.  Before there was the internet and Google, there was Leonard Kasza.  Through Leonard’s music, art, and writings he impacted more lives than he ever realized.  Leonard will be missed by all, but he will continue to touch people’s lives and hearts forever. In Leonard’s own words:

                                                 So Hard to Let it Go

He started playing steel guitar sixty-five years ago. 

Now it’s time to hang up, but he doesn’t want to let go.

His level of proficiency has fallen several notches,

While everybody listens and everybody watches.

Some might say he’s just as good and hasn’t lost a thing. 

He’s his own harshest critic though and his music’s lost its zing.

Sometimes he can’t remember when to play, or what or how;

He played every song just yesterday, why can’t he play it now?

It’s hard to let it go, so hard to let it go.

He’s been on top a time or two, but now he feels so low.

It all started in the 50’s with a live country radio show,

Pickers from wall to wall broadcasting from the studio.

Next step: join a country band, play a dance every Saturday night. 

With no TV for folks to watch, a country dance seemed right.

And so it went, year after year, learning as he went along.

Folks like to listen to him play a good old country song.

But now it’s time to step away, it feels more like work than fun.

After playing one more dance, his pickin’ time is done.

It’s hard to let it go, so hard to let it go.

He’ll shed a tear or two sometimes, but no one will ever know.

Celebration of Life will be on Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at Sagebrush from 5:30PM-7:30PM

Arrangements by Rivera Family Funeral Home. To share a memory, please visit our website at www.riverafuneralhome.com