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- [S927] Obituary.
Kasper Glaser
Visitation:
Sunday, October 31, 2010
3:00 PM until 6:00 PM
Silvernale-Silha Funeral Homes
221 North Meade Avenue
Glendive, Montana,
Service:
Monday, November 1, 2010
10:00 AM
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Glendive, MT 59330
Special Services:
A Vigil Service will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday October 31, 2010 at the Chapel of Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive.
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GLENDIVE, MONTANA: Kasper Frank Glaser, age 87 passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive. Visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, October 31, 2010 in the Chapel of Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive. A Vigil service will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Sunday October 31, 2010 at the Chapel of Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home in Glendive. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, November 1, 2010 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Glendive with Father Joseph Ponessa officiating and Celebrant Sandy Silha. Rite of Committal with Military Honors will be in the Dawson Memorial Cemetery in Glendive. Silvernale-Silha Funeral Home of Glendive has been entrusted with the
arrangements.
Kasper was born on April 1, 1923 in Mott, North Dakota, the son of Nicholas and Mary (Fisher) Glaser, he was the third oldest of nine brothers and two sisters. Kasper was raised and educated in Glen Ullin, North Dakota. He served in the United States Army in 1944 and was honorably discharged from the Military in 1946.
Kasper married Anna Emter on October 13, 1947 in Glen Ullin, North Dakota. After their marriage the couple lived in Glen Ullin and Dickinson, North Dakota until moving to Glendive in 1951, where he had resided since.
Kasper worked for the Northern Pacific Railroad for a number of years. He was also employed for several years with Sacred Heart School, and later with Mountain Bell Telephone, where he retired in 1988. After retirement he volunteered at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home as a bus driver and enjoyed afternoon coffee with his friends.
Kasper was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1125, the American Legion Club and Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Kasper enjoyed playing cards, gardening, woodworking and fishing. The highlight of his life was spending time with his children and grandchildren. He and Anna were inseparable, in later years they cherished the time they spent traveling to visit family. Kasper was a gentle person with an infectious laugh. He was loved by all who met him. His life will live on forever in his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A special thanks to his brother Clarence and his special friend Bus Morris. Also, a special thank you to the staff at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home for the care they gave to our dad.
He was proceeded in death by his parents; wife Anna in 2008; sister Leona Hellman and three brothers Ray, Edward and Joe Glaser.
Survivors include one son, Jerry (Corinne) Glaser of Glendive; three daughters, Carol (Bob) Hales of Redmond, Washington, Lynette (Gene) Harada of Havre, Montana and Mary Jean (Dave) Buck of Great Falls, Montana; ten grandchildren Randy (Trish) Glaser, Jerrod (Ann) Glaser, Todd (Stacy) Bailey, Travis (Tonia) Bailey, Chad (Maari) Bailey, Joey Bailey, Tim (Ashley) Harada, Nick (Paula) Harada, Nichole (Kevin) Portales, Shayla (Curtis) Moore; eleven great grandchildren, Cheyanna and Kloee Portales, Calib and Hunter Bailey, Madisen and Mason Harada, Nolan and Bellamy Harada, Jacob Kasper Bailey, Isabel and Brodie Glaser; six brothers Clarence Glaser of Glendive, Dan Glaser of Vancouver, Washington, Mike, Gene and Tom Glaser all of Dickinson, North Dakota, Alvin Glaser of Bismarck, North Dakota and one sister, Ann Hondel of Bismarck.
Remembrance and condolences may be shared with the family at: www.silvernale-silhafuneralhome.com
Kasper Frank Glaser was a person who brightened the day with his wonderful and contagious laugh. He was a quiet, gentle, unassuming man, more of a listener than a talker, whose signature statement was ?Really? followed by his captivating chuckle. He loved socializing and being a part of things, and you always knew when Kasper was in the room; you could hear his laughter. When Kasper moved to the Eastern Montana Veterans Home, his son, Jerry, told the staff that if Kasper wasn?t laughing, he was sick. Kasper said more with his laughter than he did with words, and everyone loved him for it.
The talker in the family was Kasper?s wife Anna. She talked, he laughed. But they had a marriage that truly set an example of what the union of two people is. It?s difficult to speak of Kasper without including Anna; they shared everything during their marriage. They were two sides of the same coin. When the family was looking through photos to include on Kasper?s memory boards, it was rare to find a photo of Kasper without his Anna.
As young adults, Kasper and Anna both loved to dance polkas and waltz? at the week-end dances in rural North Dakota. That is where Kasper, as he put it, ?found a woman?, Anna Emter. They began dating. Around Glen Ullin, North Dakota, there is a high hill that Anna pointed out to their children that she and Kasper would climb to ?smootch.?
But World War II was going on and Kasper had to leave North Dakota to serve his country in the United States Army. He became a cook and was stationed in Japan. Kasper never talked of his experiences during the war; he and Anna corresponded regularly. Kasper was honorably discharged in 1946. Anna had waited for him, and in October of 1947, Kasper and Anna were married and their life story, their love story continued for 60 plus years.
In 1951, Kasper and Anna moved to Glendive, where Kasper began a career of maintenance work beginning with the Northern Pacific Railroad, then onto Sacred Heart School, where along with maintenance Kasper also drove school bus, something he and his children all enjoyed. He then went on to work for Mountain Bell Telephone, maintaining their buildings from Colstrip to Fairview. Kasper retired in 1988.
Throughout their marriage Anna took care of the household and Kasper earned money for them to live and took care of the yard and the outside of the home. Kasper?s lawn was well-groomed, his flowers were beautiful, and his vegetable garden was bountiful. He always cleaned his mower and tools after using them. He and Anna often said they couldn?t go places in the summer because of taking care of the garden.
Another thing Kasper enjoyed and maintained meticulously were his vehicles. He was always cleaning his cars, inside and out. Kasper loved to get new cars and traded often, trying all models. He was very proud of his vehicles. When he couldn?t drive anymore, the family kept his van and would pick him up in it to go places. He always inspected it thoroughly to make sure it was cleaned to his standards.
Kasper loved to drive and after Anna had three unfortunate driving accidents, Kasper became her chauffeur. When they would go to the grocery store, Anna was in her glory, visiting with everyone. Kasper would go in with her but he would return to the van to wait until she would eventually be done shopping and visiting.
Kasper and Anna were very social and seemed to know everyone, and were liked by all. Grandson Randy often sees people from Glendive at his job in Billings, and when they find out his name, they immediately ask if he is related to Kasper.
Kasper and Anna enjoyed playing cards and spent many week-ends of pinochle and whist with neighbors. Kasper was a serious card player, and loved to play even while at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home. But he would remark to his family that those ?old people? there just didn?t know how to play. Even though he was older in age than most of the other residents, he certainly was younger at heart and thought of himself that way.
But the most important aspect of the life Kasper and Anna built for themselves was their family. Family mattered, and that love and dedication was lived every day.
Kasper and Anna raised a son, Jerry, and three daughters, Carol, Lynette, and Mary Jean. They remember a father who was gentle and laughing; a father who never raised his voice or showed anger; a father who never had an unkind word for anyone and who, if he didn?t like someone or something would just not say anything. They remember a father who greatly loved their mother.
Kasper was not the disciplinarian in the family, discipline and decisions were sent to Anna. But Kasper was strong in his faith and his children were taught the importance of religion and God. The family did not have much extra money, but Kasper paid for his children?s private education at Sacred Heart School. And Kasper promised his children that if any one of them became a priest or nun, $25 would be theirs.
Vacations were always spent visiting family in North Dakota, and once, even as far as Oregon, as Kasper remained very close to his parents and siblings.
In those later years when children began worrying about their parents, Kasper jokingly nicknamed his children. Lynette became ?the bossy one, Carol was ?the nosy one,? and Jerry was ?the boss.? Kasper often referred the ?bossy one? and ?the nosy one? to ?the boss? when decisions or changes needed to be made.
When the in-laws and the next generation came along, Kasper enjoyed them and brought his laughter to brighten their day. Kasper became known to all the family, sons, daughters, in-laws and grandkids, as ?Grandpa.? Grandpa deeply loved his eight grandsons and two granddaughters. Several grew up near Kasper and Anna, and others came often, sometimes staying summers. They remember Grandpa?s wonderful laugh, his deep enjoyment of all their activities, his pride in their accomplishments. Kasper was often, very often heard to say with his German accent, ?aye, aye, aye, dem darn grankitts, dey?re crazy,? and then he would shake his head and laugh. But he loved being included in whatever they were up to. Whether it was golf and claiming a score of 8 after 20 swings, or fishing trips to Canada, or bowling, or just hanging out together. And because he enjoyed them being themselves, he was most welcome to join in.
The grandsons remember his shed. It was where he kept his yard and gardening tools and supplies, and where he would do his woodworking, making yard ornaments. The shed was special to Grandpa. When he would take pictures of his grandkids outside, he would line them up by the shed. And he always got the entire shed in the photo. Grandpa might cut off someone?s head in the picture or if one kid wasn?t standing in front of the shed, the kid might not even be in the picture, but the shed would be.
Often, a grandson or two might let Anna know they were coming over for lunch. The family joke was that when they came, Grandpa would eat good too. Instead of slapping down bologna for Kasper?s lunch, Anna would cook some of her delicious German food for the kids and Kasper. Anna was a wonderful cook and Kasper loved her German cooking especially her ?shoop? noodles. While at the Veteran?s Home, he would sometimes tell Jerry that it was time for a ?dough dish?. Jerry would call Corinne and she would cook up some German food for Kasper. One favorite food Kasper did enjoy at the Veteran?s Home was bacon. Anna would not fry him bacon because she thought it was too greasy. Other favorites Kasper enjoyed were going out for pizza and beer at the Gusthauf, and eating at CC?s Caf?, both with family and the bonus of visiting with the waitresses and seeing friends who also ate there. Chocolate shakes from Frosty?s or Dairy Queen ice cream was a good sweet tooth satisfier, and paired up with a drive around town in Jerry?s convertible it was an outing that couldn?t be beat.
Brother Clarence and Kasper were especially close as brothers and as friends. After retirement, in the morning Kasper would walk to the Beer Jug for coffee. In the afternoon, he and Clarence would go to CC?s for coffee. Clarence would pick Kasper up, often chiding Kasper to comb his hair. Kasper had a head of thick, beautiful hair all his life. His reply to Clarence would be, ?I?ll just put on my hat!? And he would; Kasper loved to wear hats.
It is the memories of a special family week-end that held a top spot in the hearts of Kasper and Anna and the family. It was the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. Family gathered in Billings for a surprise week-end get-together. It was a huge success and everyone had a wonderful time.
For the children and grandkids, the love and support Kasper and Anna shared with each other and gave to all of them was a way of life. It is perhaps the in-laws who voice just how impressive it was. Corinne, the only daughter-in-law, had a very close and special relationship with Kasper. She appreciated that he and Anna raised their son to take care of his family. She knew she could always depend on Kasper, but she rarely had to because of the fine qualities he and Anna instilled in their children. Son-in-law Bob has always been touched by how easily and sincerely Kasper could say good-bye with a hug, and a kiss while saying ?I luf you.? Granddaughter-in law Ann Glaser, observed what a wonderful legacy Kasper has left his family, that legacy being how closeknit they all are to each other.
When Anna died in 2008, it broke Kasper?s heart. He never got over losing his Anna. He still had his laugh and his love of family, but life did not hold the joy it once had. Now Kasper has rejoined his Anna, and their family is left with the echo of his laughter in their ears, loving memories in their hearts, and the touch on their lives of a simple, but extraordinary man.
Thank you Kasper Glaser for all the love and laughter you shared with everyone around you during your lifetime. You set a wonderful example for a simple, but happy life. You are greatly loved and you will be greatly missed.
Kasper Frank Glaser was a person who brightened the day with his wonderful and contagious laugh. He was a quiet, gentle, unassuming man, more of a listener than a talker, whose signature statement was ?Really? followed by his captivating chuckle. He loved socializing and being a part of things, and you always knew when Kasper was in the room; you could hear his laughter. When Kasper moved to the Eastern Montana Veterans Home, his son, Jerry, told the staff that if Kasper wasn?t laughing, he was sick. Kasper said more with his laughter than he did with words, and everyone loved him for it.
The talker in the family was Kasper?s wife Anna. She talked, he laughed. But they had a marriage that truly set an example of what the union of two people is. It?s difficult to speak of Kasper without including Anna; they shared everything during their marriage. They were two sides of the same coin. When the family was looking through photos to include on Kasper?s memory boards, it was rare to find a photo of Kasper without his Anna.
As young adults, Kasper and Anna both loved to dance polkas and waltz? at the week-end dances in rural North Dakota. That is where Kasper, as he put it, ?found a woman?, Anna Emter. They began dating. Around Glen Ullin, North Dakota, there is a high hill that Anna pointed out to their children that she and Kasper would climb to ?smootch.?
But World War II was going on and Kasper had to leave North Dakota to serve his country in the United States Army. He became a cook and was stationed in Japan. Kasper never talked of his experiences during the war; he and Anna corresponded regularly. Kasper was honorably discharged in 1946. Anna had waited for him, and in October of 1947, Kasper and Anna were married and their life story, their love story continued for 60 plus years.
In 1951, Kasper and Anna moved to Glendive, where Kasper began a career of maintenance work beginning with the Northern Pacific Railroad, then onto Sacred Heart School, where along with maintenance Kasper also drove school bus, something he and his children all enjoyed. He then went on to work for Mountain Bell Telephone, maintaining their buildings from Colstrip to Fairview. Kasper retired in 1988.
Throughout their marriage Anna took care of the household and Kasper earned money for them to live and took care of the yard and the outside of the home. Kasper?s lawn was well-groomed, his flowers were beautiful, and his vegetable garden was bountiful. He always cleaned his mower and tools after using them. He and Anna often said they couldn?t go places in the summer because of taking care of the garden.
Another thing Kasper enjoyed and maintained meticulously were his vehicles. He was always cleaning his cars, inside and out. Kasper loved to get new cars and traded often, trying all models. He was very proud of his vehicles. When he couldn?t drive anymore, the family kept his van and would pick him up in it to go places. He always inspected it thoroughly to make sure it was cleaned to his standards.
Kasper loved to drive and after Anna had three unfortunate driving accidents, Kasper became her chauffeur. When they would go to the grocery store, Anna was in her glory, visiting with everyone. Kasper would go in with her but he would return to the van to wait until she would eventually be done shopping and visiting.
Kasper and Anna were very social and seemed to know everyone, and were liked by all. Grandson Randy often sees people from Glendive at his job in Billings, and when they find out his name, they immediately ask if he is related to Kasper.
Kasper and Anna enjoyed playing cards and spent many week-ends of pinochle and whist with neighbors. Kasper was a serious card player, and loved to play even while at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home. But he would remark to his family that those ?old people? there just didn?t know how to play. Even though he was older in age than most of the other residents, he certainly was younger at heart and thought of himself that way.
But the most important aspect of the life Kasper and Anna built for themselves was their family. Family mattered, and that love and dedication was lived every day.
Kasper and Anna raised a son, Jerry, and three daughters, Carol, Lynette, and Mary Jean. They remember a father who was gentle and laughing; a father who never raised his voice or showed anger; a father who never had an unkind word for anyone and who, if he didn?t like someone or something would just not say anything. They remember a father who greatly loved their mother.
Kasper was not the disciplinarian in the family, discipline and decisions were sent to Anna. But Kasper was strong in his faith and his children were taught the importance of religion and God. The family did not have much extra money, but Kasper paid for his children?s private education at Sacred Heart School. And Kasper promised his children that if any one of them became a priest or nun, $25 would be theirs.
Vacations were always spent visiting family in North Dakota, and once, even as far as Oregon, as Kasper remained very close to his parents and siblings.
In those later years when children began worrying about their parents, Kasper jokingly nicknamed his children. Lynette became ?the bossy one, Carol was ?the nosy one,? and Jerry was ?the boss.? Kasper often referred the ?bossy one? and ?the nosy one? to ?the boss? when decisions or changes needed to be made.
When the in-laws and the next generation came along, Kasper enjoyed them and brought his laughter to brighten their day. Kasper became known to all the family, sons, daughters, in-laws and grandkids, as ?Grandpa.? Grandpa deeply loved his eight grandsons and two granddaughters. Several grew up near Kasper and Anna, and others came often, sometimes staying summers. They remember Grandpa?s wonderful laugh, his deep enjoyment of all their activities, his pride in their accomplishments. Kasper was often, very often heard to say with his German accent, ?aye, aye, aye, dem darn grankitts, dey?re crazy,? and then he would shake his head and laugh. But he loved being included in whatever they were up to. Whether it was golf and claiming a score of 8 after 20 swings, or fishing trips to Canada, or bowling, or just hanging out together. And because he enjoyed them being themselves, he was most welcome to join in.
The grandsons remember his shed. It was where he kept his yard and gardening tools and supplies, and where he would do his woodworking, making yard ornaments. The shed was special to Grandpa. When he would take pictures of his grandkids outside, he would line them up by the shed. And he always got the entire shed in the photo. Grandpa might cut off someone?s head in the picture or if one kid wasn?t standing in front of the shed, the kid might not even be in the picture, but the shed would be.
Often, a grandson or two might let Anna know they were coming over for lunch. The family joke was that when they came, Grandpa would eat good too. Instead of slapping down bologna for Kasper?s lunch, Anna would cook some of her delicious German food for the kids and Kasper. Anna was a wonderful cook and Kasper loved her German cooking especially her ?shoop? noodles. While at the Veteran?s Home, he would sometimes tell Jerry that it was time for a ?dough dish?. Jerry would call Corinne and she would cook up some German food for Kasper. One favorite food Kasper did enjoy at the Veteran?s Home was bacon. Anna would not fry him bacon because she thought it was too greasy. Other favorites Kasper enjoyed were going out for pizza and beer at the Gusthauf, and eating at CC?s Caf?, both with family and the bonus of visiting with the waitresses and seeing friends who also ate there. Chocolate shakes from Frosty?s or Dairy Queen ice cream was a good sweet tooth satisfier, and paired up with a drive around town in Jerry?s convertible it was an outing that couldn?t be beat.
Brother Clarence and Kasper were especially close as brothers and as friends. After retirement, in the morning Kasper would walk to the Beer Jug for coffee. In the afternoon, he and Clarence would go to CC?s for coffee. Clarence would pick Kasper up, often chiding Kasper to comb his hair. Kasper had a head of thick, beautiful hair all his life. His reply to Clarence would be, ?I?ll just put on my hat!? And he would; Kasper loved to wear hats.
It is the memories of a special family week-end that held a top spot in the hearts of Kasper and Anna and the family. It was the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. Family gathered in Billings for a surprise week-end get-together. It was a huge success and everyone had a wonderful time.
For the children and grandkids, the love and support Kasper and Anna shared with each other and gave to all of them was a way of life. It is perhaps the in-laws who voice just how impressive it was. Corinne, the only daughter-in-law, had a very close and special relationship with Kasper. She appreciated that he and Anna raised their son to take care of his family. She knew she could always depend on Kasper, but she rarely had to because of the fine qualities he and Anna instilled in their children. Son-in-law Bob has always been touched by how easily and sincerely Kasper could say good-bye with a hug, and a kiss while saying ?I luf you.? Granddaughter-in law Ann Glaser, observed what a wonderful legacy Kasper has left his family, that legacy being how closeknit they all are to each other.
When Anna died in 2008, it broke Kasper?s heart. He never got over losing his Anna. He still had his laugh and his love of family, but life did not hold the joy it once had. Now Kasper has rejoined his Anna, and their family is left with the echo of his laughter in their ears, loving memories in their hearts, and the touch on their lives of a simple, but extraordinary man.
Thank you Kasper Glaser for all the love and laughter you shared with everyone around you during your lifetime. You set a wonderful example for a simple, but happy life. You are greatly loved and you will be greatly missed.
Kasper Frank Glaser was a person who brightened the day with his wonderful and contagious laugh. He was a quiet, gentle, unassuming man, more of a listener than a talker, whose signature statement was ?Really? followed by his captivating chuckle. He loved socializing and being a part of things, and you always knew when Kasper was in the room; you could hear his laughter. When Kasper moved to the Eastern Montana Veterans Home, his son, Jerry, told the staff that if Kasper wasn?t laughing, he was sick. Kasper said more with his laughter than he did with words, and everyone loved him for it.
The talker in the family was Kasper?s wife Anna. She talked, he laughed. But they had a marriage that truly set an example of what the union of two people is. It?s difficult to speak of Kasper without including Anna; they shared everything during their marriage. They were two sides of the same coin. When the family was looking through photos to include on Kasper?s memory boards, it was rare to find a photo of Kasper without his Anna.
As young adults, Kasper and Anna both loved to dance polkas and waltz? at the week-end dances in rural North Dakota. That is where Kasper, as he put it, ?found a woman?, Anna Emter. They began dating. Around Glen Ullin, North Dakota, there is a high hill that Anna pointed out to their children that she and Kasper would climb to ?smootch.?
But World War II was going on and Kasper had to leave North Dakota to serve his country in the United States Army. He became a cook and was stationed in Japan. Kasper never talked of his experiences during the war; he and Anna corresponded regularly. Kasper was honorably discharged in 1946. Anna had waited for him, and in October of 1947, Kasper and Anna were married and their life story, their love story continued for 60 plus years.
In 1951, Kasper and Anna moved to Glendive, where Kasper began a career of maintenance work beginning with the Northern Pacific Railroad, then onto Sacred Heart School, where along with maintenance Kasper also drove school bus, something he and his children all enjoyed. He then went on to work for Mountain Bell Telephone, maintaining their buildings from Colstrip to Fairview. Kasper retired in 1988.
Throughout their marriage Anna took care of the household and Kasper earned money for them to live and took care of the yard and the outside of the home. Kasper?s lawn was well-groomed, his flowers were beautiful, and his vegetable garden was bountiful. He always cleaned his mower and tools after using them. He and Anna often said they couldn?t go places in the summer because of taking care of the garden.
Another thing Kasper enjoyed and maintained meticulously were his vehicles. He was always cleaning his cars, inside and out. Kasper loved to get new cars and traded often, trying all models. He was very proud of his vehicles. When he couldn?t drive anymore, the family kept his van and would pick him up in it to go places. He always inspected it thoroughly to make sure it was cleaned to his standards.
Kasper loved to drive and after Anna had three unfortunate driving accidents, Kasper became her chauffeur. When they would go to the grocery store, Anna was in her glory, visiting with everyone. Kasper would go in with her but he would return to the van to wait until she would eventually be done shopping and visiting.
Kasper and Anna were very social and seemed to know everyone, and were liked by all. Grandson Randy often sees people from Glendive at his job in Billings, and when they find out his name, they immediately ask if he is related to Kasper.
Kasper and Anna enjoyed playing cards and spent many week-ends of pinochle and whist with neighbors. Kasper was a serious card player, and loved to play even while at the Eastern Montana Veterans Home. But he would remark to his family that those ?old people? there just didn?t know how to play. Even though he was older in age than most of the other residents, he certainly was younger at heart and thought of himself that way.
But the most important aspect of the life Kasper and Anna built for themselves was their family. Family mattered, and that love and dedication was lived every day.
Kasper and Anna raised a son, Jerry, and three daughters, Carol, Lynette, and Mary Jean. They remember a father who was gentle and laughing; a father who never raised his voice or showed anger; a father who never had an unkind word for anyone and who, if he didn?t like someone or something would just not say anything. They remember a father who greatly loved their mother.
Kasper was not the disciplinarian in the family, discipline and decisions were sent to Anna. But Kasper was strong in his faith and his children were taught the importance of religion and God. The family did not have much extra money, but Kasper paid for his children?s private education at Sacred Heart School. And Kasper promised his children that if any one of them became a priest or nun, $25 would be theirs.
Vacations were always spent visiting family in North Dakota, and once, even as far as Oregon, as Kasper remained very close to his parents and siblings.
In those later years when children began worrying about their parents, Kasper jokingly nicknamed his children. Lynette became ?the bossy one, Carol was ?the nosy one,? and Jerry was ?the boss.? Kasper often referred the ?bossy one? and ?the nosy one? to ?the boss? when decisions or changes needed to be made.
When the in-laws and the next generation came along, Kasper enjoyed them and brought his laughter to brighten their day. Kasper became known to all the family, sons, daughters, in-laws and grandkids, as ?Grandpa.? Grandpa deeply loved his eight grandsons and two granddaughters. Several grew up near Kasper and Anna, and others came often, sometimes staying summers. They remember Grandpa?s wonderful laugh, his deep enjoyment of all their activities, his pride in their accomplishments. Kasper was often, very often heard to say with his German accent, ?aye, aye, aye, dem darn grankitts, dey?re crazy,? and then he would shake his head and laugh. But he loved being included in whatever they were up to. Whether it was golf and claiming a score of 8 after 20 swings, or fishing trips to Canada, or bowling, or just hanging out together. And because he enjoyed them being themselves, he was most welcome to join in.
The grandsons remember his shed. It was where he kept his yard and gardening tools and supplies, and where he would do his woodworking, making yard ornaments. The shed was special to Grandpa. When he would take pictures of his grandkids outside, he would line them up by the shed. And he always got the entire shed in the photo. Grandpa might cut off someone?s head in the picture or if one kid wasn?t standing in front of the shed, the kid might not even be in the picture, but the shed would be.
Often, a grandson or two might let Anna know they were coming over for lunch. The family joke was that when they came, Grandpa would eat good too. Instead of slapping down bologna for Kasper?s lunch, Anna would cook some of her delicious German food for the kids and Kasper. Anna was a wonderful cook and Kasper loved her German cooking especially her ?shoop? noodles. While at the Veteran?s Home, he would sometimes tell Jerry that it was time for a ?dough dish?. Jerry would call Corinne and she would cook up some German food for Kasper. One favorite food Kasper did enjoy at the Veteran?s Home was bacon. Anna would not fry him bacon because she thought it was too greasy. Other favorites Kasper enjoyed were going out for pizza and beer at the Gusthauf, and eating at CC?s Caf?, both with family and the bonus of visiting with the waitresses and seeing friends who also ate there. Chocolate shakes from Frosty?s or Dairy Queen ice cream was a good sweet tooth satisfier, and paired up with a drive around town in Jerry?s convertible it was an outing that couldn?t be beat.
Brother Clarence and Kasper were especially close as brothers and as friends. After retirement, in the morning Kasper would walk to the Beer Jug for coffee. In the afternoon, he and Clarence would go to CC?s for coffee. Clarence would pick Kasper up, often chiding Kasper to comb his hair. Kasper had a head of thick, beautiful hair all his life. His reply to Clarence would be, ?I?ll just put on my hat!? And he would; Kasper loved to wear hats.
It is the memories of a special family week-end that held a top spot in the hearts of Kasper and Anna and the family. It was the occasion of their 60th wedding anniversary. Family gathered in Billings for a surprise week-end get-together. I
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1923 - 2010 (87 years)