Helen Kasper

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HELEN KASPER
February 8, 1932 – November 4, 2017

We announce with sadness, but not without a sense of loving release, that Helen has left us for a place without Alzheimer’s disease. Helen Kasper (nee Esau), aged 85, of Steinbach, MB passed away on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at Bethesda Place, Steinbach, MB.

She was predeceased by her husband Henry, son Brian (in infancy), grandson Matthew Krentz, siblings Annie & Dave Froese, George & Katie Esau, Margaret & John Friesen, and brothers-in-law Henry W. Funk and Herman Kasper.

She will be lovingly and forever remembered by her daughters Carol & Barry Krentz, Janice & Mitch Toews, Sheila & Allan Harder, Gail & John Klassen, 9 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren. Also left to cherish her memory are brother Rudy & Sylvia Esau, brother-in-law Neil & Anita Kasper, sisters-in-law Elizabeth Funk and Valerie Kasper.

She was born to Henry and Lena Esau in the Grunthal area. Helen, whose given name was Lena, was baptized in the Elim Church in Grunthal on May 13, 1951 - the same date and place as her future husband, Henry Kasper. They later transferred their membership to the newly formed Grace Mennonite Church in Steinbach in 1965.

Helen and Henry were married July 12, 1953 and enjoyed a romantic honeymoon in exotic Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Helen’s dowry was thirty chickens and a cow. Their first home was a forty-acre farm northwest of Grunthal. Henry’s subsequent employment as the Assistant Manager of the Credit Union resulted in a move to Steinbach.

After her childhood on the farm, Helen was happy to live in town. She did, however, love outdoor activities like boating and fishing and - she later discovered - water skiing when the family bought a small cabin on the shores of Moose Lake. Fun, friends, family and horseflies were in abundance!

Four daughters later, the couple set out independently, purchasing Family Shoes - known soon after as Kasper’s Pic ‘n Pay. With her winsome smile and caring ways, Helen’s relationships with customers were prized and enduring. A tireless worker, Henry found it hard to keep up with her whether taking shoe inventory or planting Christmas trees at their hobby farm - H. Kasper Tree Farm, which was purchased in 1976.

Helen and Henry loved to travel. With the first snowflake she was ready to discuss a winter vacation – be it Hawaii, Mexico, or the Caribbean.

Utopia could not have been sweeter for her than when the children and grandchildren were present for a family event, combined with a generous amount of noise and laughter. When guests arrived, she rushed to greet them at the door with an abiding faith that somebody would take care of the turkey.

Singing and walking had become synonymous with Helen. Many a morning she started singing as soon as her feet hit the floor. It was not uncommon for her to walk 4-5 miles before breakfast! This activity did not diminish when she was admitted to a care home – much to the chagrin of the staff.

Helen was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2000. Because she had such a friendly disposition, her disease went unnoticed for several years. When you do battle with this disease, losing is inevitable. If there is a bright side to this tragedy – she never became fully aware of her condition. The quiet charm of her nature left a telling vacuum in her household when she was admitted for professional care.

A heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at Bethesda Place who made Helen’s stay as pleasant as possible.

If friends so desire, donations in her memory may be made to Bethesda Place or MCC. If Helen could respond to that, she’d probably say, “Forget the flowers, forget the donations, rather kiss your spouse, talk to your children, telephone your siblings and share a laugh with your friends.”

Helen never left her family without a hug or kiss and “I love you” so this is not goodbye, this is,

“I love you”.

***

The memorial service will take place on November 14, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.

Arrangements by
BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL
1-204-346-1030 OR 1-888-454-1030

As published in The Carillon on Nov 06, 2017