Ruth Esther Kasper
1919 - 2013
Obituary
Ruth Esther Kasper passed away on Sept. 7, 2013.
She was born to John and Elizabeth Bergen on July 17, 1919,
in rural western Kansas and was educated in local Kansas schools. She was a
born-again Christian and had been attending Koerner Heights Mennonite Brethern
Church here in Newton.
Ruth married Randolph Kasper in October 1940 near Elbing.
After the war ended, Ruth and Randy lived in several locations as he completed
his education and pursued employment as a teacher, eventually settling in El
Dorado, where they raised their two daughters, Randolyn and Shelly.
In the early years of marriage, Ruth was a stay-at-home wife
and mom. In later years, Ruth worked as a local office secretary and then as
deputy in the Butler County Treasurer's office, where she retired. Upon Randy's
retirement from teaching and U.S. Navy Reserves, they moved from El Dorado to a
waterfront home they had built on the shore of Lake Beaver, Ark., and were
members of the Garfield Baptist Church nearby.
While in Arkansas, Ruth and Randy enjoyed playing mountain
music on dulcimers and hobbies of creating stained glass art, fishing and water
sports. In later years of retirement, winters were spent in South Texas in a
close-knit community with many activities and new friends.
In the year 2000, declining health prompted them to return
to Kansas, moving into a new condo in Newton, where they were closer to family.
Randy passed away in 2004 and a few years later Ruth moved into Presbyterian
Manor, where she was blessed with assistance and companionship.
Ruth is survived by two daughters, Randolyn (and Phil)
Hedrick of Wichita and Shelly (and Tony) Loving of McPherson; four
grandchildren, Bret Willett and Eric Willett, both in the Kansas City area,
Chad Binder of Hutchinson, and Kelli Haigh of Lindsborg; and four
great-grandchildren, Kati, Britton and Laini Haugh, Julian and Jackson Willett,
and Camryn and Carly Willett. Also surviving are two brothers, Lester (and
Cindy) Bergen of Arkansas and Larry (and Betty) Bergen of Colorado; and one
sister, Norma McClure of Newton.
Ruth was preceded in death by husband, Randolph; brother,
Kenneth Bergen; sister, Verna Epp; and sister, Wilmina Shepherd.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, 2 p.m., at Petersen
Funeral Home Chapel. There is no visitation.
Memorials are to Koerner Heights Mennonite Brethern Church
or Hardin Hospice Care of Kansas, www.petersenfamilyfuneralhome.com.
