Kasper, Gerhart P. (1873-1958)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1958 Oct 16 p. 8

Birth date: 1873 Feb 19

text of obituary:

GERHART P. KASPER

Our father, Gerhart P. Kasper, son of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Kasper, was born Feb. 19, 1873, in Leonow Gombin, Poland. At the age of two years he came to the United States of America with his parents. They settled on a farm at Tipton, Mo. Here his mother passed away and our father came into the care of foster parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Block.

At the age of ten, he came with his new-found parents to Hillsboro, Kansas, where he was to spend a number of years.

He found salvation by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as a young boy and was baptized May 14, 1892, and united with the Mennonite Brethren Church for fellowship.

On July 3, 1898, our father was united in holy matrimony to our mother, then Sarah Duerksen. This union which lasted 51 years, was blessed with eight children, four sons and four daughters. Three sons and one daughter as well as one grandchild preceded father in death. Mother passed away Dec. 19, 1949. Five brothers also preceded him in death.

In 1q914 we moved to Reedley, Calif., and for a number of years farmed in the Reedley-Dinuba area. The last eight years our father made his home in the Reedley Home for the Aged.

Our father was a great lover of music and mastered the art of playing a number of musical instruments. During these years in the Home for the Aged he was a great blessing through his music, singing, and his knowledge of the Word of God. During the last eight years he read the entire Bible three times. Only an hour before passing away, he joined in the song with his grandchildren, “Have Thine Own Way, Lord.” Saturday night, Sept 27,1958, at about 9:00 o'clock he quietly slipped into eternity. He reached the age of 85 years, seven months and eight days.

Remaining to mourn his departure are four children, Emma, Mrs. Ike Bergen of Fresno, Hilda, Mrs. Eli Wipf of Dinuba, George Kasper of Kingsburg, Martha, Mrs. Paul Hoock of Dinuba; three brothers, John and Dave of Hillsboro, Kansas, and Jake of Potwin, Kansas, five sisters, Anna, Mrs. Fenski of Sultana, Calif., Sarah, Mrs. Foth of Hillsboro, Kansas, Katherine, Mrs. Kessler of Lehigh, Kansas, Marie, Mrs. Kongers of Wyoming, and Helen, Mrs. Slaight of Elsworth [sic Ellsworth], Kansas; one aunt, Mrs. Sarah Pankratz of Reedley; 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

The memorial service was held in the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church on Oct. 1, 1958, with Rev. Dan Friesen and Rev. H. R. Wiens officiating. Special music was given by Rev. Youngsquist of the Kingsburg Baptist Church. — The Family.