Eva Kasiska Scholarship

Kasiska Family

WILLIAM F. KASISKA was born in East Prussia, now part of Poland and
Russia. He immigrated to· the United States in 1881. His struggle to
survive -in the. land of his birth helped: him to appreciate the
. opportunities which he found in .t e new world.
Mr. Kasiska settled ·in Wisconsin, where he married MARY ANN DUNN in 1887.
They moved to Seattle, Washington in 1889. In 1890 they relocated to
Pocatello, Idaho, and within fifteen years they had earned a sizable fortune .

. Mr. Kasiska was an energetic businessman. He was the driving force behind
the development of many Pocatello businesses. He was banker and an
investor. He served two terms as Mayor of Pocatello. One of the wealthy
men in Pocatello’s history, he stood always ready to help young people
finance their education, and to· help his fellow citizens in general.

William and Mary Ann had two daughters who were remarkable in their own right.
MABEL KASI.KA HILLMAN was a banker who began her career
at a family bank in Burley. She then went on to the Lava Hot Springs State Bank where she became
one of the first women in the United States to
own and operate a bank. She also owned the· Kasiska Sheep Company
·at Dempey Creek,· was· a director of the Cassia National Hank at Burley,
.had an interest in the Twin Falls Bank and. Trust Company.

EVA KASISKA was well-known throughout her life for her charitable
efforts and was often involved in community service and church activities. Eva
was a charter member of the St. Anthony Hospital Guild. She devoted much
of her life to caring for her father.

During their lives, Eva and Mabel believed deeply in Idaho State University. They
were yearly contributors to ISU’s scholarship funds, and their scholarships
attracted worthwhile students to the university. In addition, they made generous
direct gifts to !SU. For example, they contributed significant funds to the Speech Pathology and Audiology
program to improve clinical facilities.
·
THE KASISKA FAMILY FOUNDATION was established by Eva
. Kasiska, the last surviving member of the .Kasiska family. In creating this
. charitable . foundation.,. Eva carried out the wishes of her father,
William, ·and of her sister, Mabel.