Valeria Kasper

Valeria R. Kasper, 97, of Merrill, passed away on October 4, 2012 in Pine Crest Nursing Home as a result of a brief onslaught of bone cancer. She was born August 16, 1915 in Chicago IL to the late John and Josephine (Schram) MacSwain. She married the late Theodore J. Kasper on August 28, 1940. He preceded her in death September 18, 1993. Valeria moved with her family from Chicago to a farm north of Merrill in 1919 so that her father could recover from lead poisoning caused by the linotype machine he operated. When she was thirteen and her father died, her family had to work even harder to make a living from the cutover land. At about the same time, Valeria almost died from a ruptured appendix but beat the odds to live another eight decades. She was an avid particpant in 4-H as a youth. After graduating from Merrill High School, she graduated from the Lincoln County Normal School and then taught for nine years in various area one-room schools. After marriage, she devoted her time to raising her family along with her husband , Ted. She was also involved with the family sheep farm and woodworking enterprise and held various part time jobs.

Valeria was member of the Saint Francis Catholic Church, Wisconsin Regional Writers Club and Merrill Area Art Club. Her passion was creating utility, comfort and beauty for her loved ones through various media, including painting, quilting, sewing, writing, including historical pieces for the Foto-News, gardening, putting food by and cooking. Her curiosity ranged far and wide from the Mayans to songbirds to playing frisbee. She was a cheerful partner to Ted in his fishing, ginseng hunting, and finding bargains at rummage sales and auctions. Survivors include her sister Joan Bloechl, sister-in-law Geraldine Butkiewicz of Merrill and children: Alice of Madison, Clinton (Sharon) of Merrill, Tom (Ann Rulseh) of Madison, Mary (Bruce Schmidt) and Anna (Hudson) of Merrill, as well as her beloved grandchildren; Eric (Julie) Kasper, Andrew Kasper, Madeline Kasper, Toby (Sara) Schmidt, Christy (Gus Blemke) Parenteau, Matt Wendricks, Trent Hudson and 7 great grandchildren. Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister Mary (McElhany) and brothers, Charles Edward (Ned) and Robert (Walker). A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Merrill. The Rev. Fr. Mike McLain will officiate. Burial will take place at St. Francis Catholic Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 until 8PM, Monday and again from 9:30 to 10:30 AM, Tuesday, at the Waid Funeral Home, Merrill. A remembrance service will be held 6PM Monday at the Waid Funeral Home Online tributes may be made at www.waidfuneral.com . Memorials may be given to the T.B. Scott Free Library Memorial Fund. A special thank you to the warm and caring staff of Pinecrest Nursing Home and Ministry Hospice.

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Previous Events

Visitation
Monday, October 8, 2012
Visitation
Tuesday, October 9, 2012

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