January 2025 - Happy New Years from Guam!
Carmen (Artero) Kasperbauer
Since Guam is Carmen's native country, I don't have much about her but will cover the Kasperbauer family a little more since more people will know this family better.
Carmen (Artero) Kasperbauer
She lived through the invasion of Guam on December 8, 1941, and bore witness to extraordinary acts of bravery, including her parents' role in helping to hide United States Navy radioman, George Tweed, providing him with food, safety, and shelter for nearly two years until, with his help, Guam was liberated.
This past August 8th, Carmen turned 90 and often shared that though Guam's liberation was declared on July 21, 1944, her family was still hiding on their property in a cliff-top crevasse, known today as Tweed's Cave, on what is now NCS (Camp Blaz). It was not until Carmen's ninth birthday that they finally knew they were truly free.
Carmen helped her island in many ways. She served Guam as a nursing leader, educator, lawmaker, and steadfast advocate for moral and cultural values. As a Senator in the 15th and 16th Guam Legislatures, she authored laws that established a child support enforcement office, created a needed blood bank for the island, mandated that all medical providers be trained and licensed before practicing here, wrote the law that requires 1% of all construction budgets of public buildings and facilities be used towards the acquisition and exhibiting of local artwork, in an effort to preserve our culture and support local artists.
Her deep love for the CHamoru culture also guided her work as Chairperson of the Committee on Municipal and Cultural Affairs. In that role, she convened the Cultural Facility Task Force, which ultimately led to the creation of the Civic Center of Guam Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to building and sustaining a cultural center for future generations.
She also initiated Guam's participation in the Festival of Pacific Arts & Culture (FestPAC), which is the world's largest celebration of indigenous Pacific Islanders.
On March 19, 2021, Carmen was honored as a recipient of the University of Guam's Distinguished Alumni Award. A proud graduate of UOG's School of Education, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 1974. The award recognized her many contributions to society, including her leadership as President of the Astumbo Catholic Family Mission, her devoted membership in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, and her years of service as a Guam Senator.
Carmen graduated from Mount St. Getrude Academy High School in Boulder, Colorado, in 1954; and received her registered nursing license from St. Anthony School of Nursing in Carroll, Iowa, in 1958. Later that year, she and Dr. Larry Kasperbauer, former Legislative Vice Speaker and Professor Emeritus, University of Guam, married in Ames, Iowa.
Carmen's love and memory will forever be cherished by her family: Her husband of 67 years, Dr. Larry F. Kasperbauer, Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchild: Kevin & Maribeth Kasperbauer (Ryan, Kaitlyn [Aleyla, Adella], Steven, Katheryn, Lauren [Zachary, Everett], Jonathan); Tom & Karen Kasperbauer Perez (Joey & Alisa P. Cruz [Kameren, Alanna {Carmen}, Ha'ane], Theodore & Mishel Tom [Vincent, Owen], Thomas [Matthew], Aleksander); Brian & Cathy Kasperbauer (Sean & Sherean Kasperbauer McCool [Max, Jack, Riley, Adi, Keaton, Mia, Meadow], Christopher & Katy Kasperbauer McCool [Hingsten, Albert], Kenneth, Tyler); Steven & Carmen Ulloa-Kasperbauer (Lawrence & Sabrina G. Kasperbauer [Ozzy], Devin & Caressa K. Maluwelmeng [Lela]); and Jason & Teresa K. Sakazaki (Michael, David).
We hold cherished memories of Carmen with her siblings, their spouses and families: Maria & John Femminis, Rosita & George Peredo, Josephine & Michael McKeever, Antonio & Mildred Artero, Joseph & Annie Artero, Virginia & Wilfred Leon Guerrero, Franklin & Margie Ann Artero, Eleanor Artero, Margaret Artero, Pascual & Marilen Artero, Victor & Julie Artero.
Carmen will also be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her extended family, dear friends, her Catholic Daughters Association Sisters, and the Agana Heights and Astumbo Catholic Church families.
Final respects for Carmen will be held on Tuesday, January 6th, with viewing from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Therese Chapel, followed by a Funeral Mass at 12:00 p.m. in the Cathedral-Basilica Nave. Interment will take place at Pigo Cemetery in Hagatna.
Viewing and funeral will be livestreamed on aganacathedral.orq.
Late Senator Kasperbauer's State Funeral Monday, January 5, 2026, 10:00 am - 11:00 livestreamed on the Guam Legislature's Media YouTube Channel
Former Sen. Carmen Kasperbauer dead at 90
Nestor Licanto I The Guam Daily Post
December 24, 2025
Norman M. Taruc/The Guam Daily Post
Flags are being flown at half-staff in honor of former Sen. Carmen Artero Kasperbauer who died on Wednesday at the age of 90. She served in the 15th and 16th Guam Legislatures from 1978 to 1982, and was also a registered nurse.
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said, "Carmen was someone I deeply respected and admired and cherished as a mentor and a dear friend. Her passion for health care, her courage in standing up for what was right, and her genuine love for our people showed in everything she did. She gave so much of herself in service to Guam, and her legacy will continue to move forward through the countless lives she touched and the progress she helped shape."
"On behalf of the people of Guam, we offer our deepest condolences to Sen. Larry Kasperbauer, her loving partner and husband, and all those who loved her. Her legacy lives on in the remarkable successes and contributions made by her children and their families," Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio added.
Speaker Frank F. Blas, Jr., on behalf of the Legislature, also extended condolences. "Throughout her time in public service, she was known for her commitment to community, thoughtful leadership, and her willingness to work across differences in the interest of the people of Guam. Her contributions to the Legislature and to public life reflect a genuine desire to strengthen our island and improve the lives of others," he said.
"On behalf of the Guam Legislature, I extend my deepest and sincerest condolences to her husband, former Sen. Lawrence Kasperbauer, her family, her friends, and her loved ones," Blas continued. “Her service and advocacy will be remembered, and her legacy as a public servant will continue to inspire those who follow."
Republican Party of Guam Chair Sen. Shawn Gumataotao also made reference to her parents, Antonio and Josefa Artero's memorable role during World War II in which they helped to hide an American soldier, George Tweed, from the Japanese occupation forces.
"She experienced the hardships of the occupation and came from a family whose courage helped preserve hope during a dark chapter in our island's history," Gumataotao said.
Carmen Artero Kasperbauer is survived by her husband Lawrence Kasperbauer, their five children, and her grandchildren.
Children of John & Clara Kasperbauer
Ewoldt No. 3 attendance
Michael 1935-43 MHS 1947
Marian (Mary Ann in school) 1937-45 MHS 1949
Patty 1939-48 MHS 1952
Larry 1941-50 MHS 1954
Jim 1942-51 MHS 1955
Gerald "Jerry" 1945-54 MHS 1958
Patrick 1948-56 MHS 1961
Lonnie 1951-56 MHS 1965
Linda 1951-56 MHS 1965
Clara, daughter of Mike and Catherine (Venteicher) Balk married John Kasperbauer
John, son of Frank Xavier and Franciska (Pfeffer) Kasperbauer
Children: Michael Kasperbauer, Marian Fitzsimmons, Patty Sheets, Larry Kasperbauer, Jim Kasperbauer, Jerry Kasperbauer, Patrick Kasperbauer, Lonnie Kasperbauer, Linda Johanson
Gerald Kasperbauer
Michael Kasperbauer MHS 1947
4-H project - Ruth Schmidt and Patty Kasperbauer MHS 1952
Larry Kasperbauer MHS 1954
James Kasperbauer MHS 1955
Patrick Kasperbauer MHS 1961
Lonnie Kasperbauer MHS 1965
Linda Kasperbauer MHS 1965
John Kasperbauer WWI
John Kasperbauer 1945 VFW Commander
Clara Kasperbauer
Ewoldt No. 3 Larry, Jerry, Patty, Jim
Patrick Kasperbauer
1993 Kasperbauer barn
Sadly this very unique barn was torn down a number of years ago.
Bill Adams who was married to Bernice Schrum gave this amazing colorized
picture to Marian Kasperbauer Fitzsimmons in 1969 when he worked on the Fitzsimmons home in Vail.
Bill was born on this farm.
1979 Kasperbauer farm home
Back: Michael, Larry, Jim, Jerry, Patrick, Lonnie
Front: Linda, Clara, Patty, Marian Fitzsimmons
Marian - 1952 on the farm
Patty, Marian, Jerry, Jim, with gosslings 1945
Marian 3, Patty 1, Mike 5 - 1935
Mike 9, Marian 7 - 1939