In Loving Memory CLARA KASPERBAUER

The Rite of Christian Burial MONDAY, APRIL 23, 2001, 10:30 AM SACRED HEART CHURCH, MANNING, IOWA
Celebrant REVEREND JAMES MCALPIN
Lector LARRY KASPERBAUER
Mass Servers MEGAN FITZSIMMONS, JESSIE FITZSIMMONS
Cross Bearer JOEY KASPERBAUER
Gift Bearers CLARA’S GRANDDAUGHTERS
Eucharistic Ministers PATRICK KASPERBAUER, JEFF FITZSIMMONS
Music “PRAYER OF SAINT FRANCIS” “ON EAGLE’S WINGS” “BE NOT AFRAID” “HOW GREAT THOU ART” SACRED HEART CHOIR
MAUREEN HALBUR, ORGANIST
Interment SACRED HEART CEMETERY, MANNING, IOWA
Casketbearers: TODD SHEETS, JEFF FITZSIMMONS, BRIAN KASPERBAUER, PATRICK KASPERBAUER, STEVEN KASPERBAUER, JOHN FITZSIMMONS
Honorary Casketbearers - CLARA’S GRANDSONS: JOHN KASPERBAUER, PAUL KASPERBAUER, JIM FITZSIMMONS, KEVIN KASPERBAUER, CHARLES KASPERBAUER, CHRIS JOHANSON, TRAVIS KASPERBAUER

THE FAMILY WISHES TO EXPRESS THEIR GRATITUDE FOR YOUR KINDNESS EVIDENCED IN THOUGHT, WORD, AND DEED, AND INVITES YOU TO JOIN THEM FOR LUNCH AND FELLOWSHIP AT THE CHURCH FOLLOWING THE COMMITTAL SERVICE.

Clara Mary, daughter of Mike and Catherine (Venteicher) Balk, was born October 31, 1909, in Willey, Iowa. She attended St. Mary’s School in Willey through the eighth grade. Following her schooling, Clara worked as a hired girl for friends and neighbors.

On January 10, 1928, Clara was united in marriage with John Kasperbauer at St. Mary’s Church in Willey. Nine children were born to this union. For almost 50 years, Clara and John farmed three miles north of Manning. After John died November 26, 1976, Clara moved into Manning.

Throughout the years, Clara was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Manning where she was active with the Women’s Guild and Altar Society. She enjoyed reading, cooking, playing cards, and studying genealogy. Clara authored two books documenting her family’s background and history. She enjoyed her independent and healthy lifestyle while living on First Street in Manning. She hosted a family reunion in 1993, which included all of her nine children and their families. In the later part of the 1990s she had two strokes and a broken hip but was able to remain in her home with the help of her family and various caregivers. After a brief final illness, Clara died on Wednesday, April 18, 2001, at Manning Regional Healthcare Center in Manning, Iowa. She was 91 years, 5 months and 18 days of age.

Besides her parents and husband, Clara was preceded in death by her sisters Anna Kerper, Minnie Hofbauer, Eleanor Pudenz, Gertrude Olerich and Berniece Olerich and by two brothers Clem Balk and Hilbert Balk.

She is survived by nine children: Michael Kasperbauer and wife Isabelle of Lexington, Kentucky; Marian Fitzsimmons and husband Fred of Vail; Patty Sheets of Tipton; Larry Kasperbauer and wife Carmen of Dededo, Guam; Jim Kasperbauer and wife Marge of Memphis, Tennessee; Jerry Kasperbauer and wife Norma of Springfield, Virginia; Patrick Kasperbauer and wife Kathy of Council Bluffs; Lonnie Kasperbauer and wife Lou of Des Moines; Linda Johanson of Ames and Forest City; 28 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-granddaughter; three sisters: Rita Gilbert and Cleo Solden of California and Evelyn and husband Marvin Olerich of Carroll; and by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.