CASPERS, Orville Ray 1925 - 2017
CASPERS, WOHLER, NAUMAN, SHANKS, KLOPPING, RICHARDSON, WANDRO
Posted By: Pat Ludeke (email)
Date: 7/8/2018 at 23:21:44
Orville Caspers, 92, of Swaledale, passed away Saturday, April 8, 2017, at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Thornton, with the Rev. Rhea Evanson presiding.
Interment with veteran’s honors will be at Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Swaledale. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, 400 Larch Ave., Thornton.
Orville Ray Caspers was born Feb. 10, 1925, on a farm near Rockwell, Iowa, to Herman “Deed” and Fredericka “Freda” (Wohler) Caspers. He was a big brother to Dale, who was two years younger. They were best of friends and farmed together for many years.
Orville married Bernice Nauman of Floyd, Iowa, on March 8, 1951. From this union came five children - Jack, Donald, Edward, Richard, and Susan.
Orville and Bernice farmed in the Swaledale area until they retired several years ago.
Orville served in the United States Army in the 96th Infantry Division in World War II. He received a Purple Heart, Bronze Star and a Good Conduct Medal for his exemplary military service.
After he recovered from being wounded in combat, he was then transferred to an artillery/ordinance division until his Army tenure ended.
Orville believed in honoring our flag and saluting our fallen soldiers. His dedication and passion taught his children and grandchildren to respect the flag and those who have fought for our freedom.
Orville enjoyed hunting and fishing, traveling, family picnics, making homemade ice cream and driving around to check on his crops.
He also liked going to morning coffee at the Swaledale town hall, spending time with family and friends, going to dances and attending his annual 96th Infantry reunions.
He especially loved his signs along the Swaledale highways, i.e. one such sign was “Swaledale Next 7 Exits." He loved a good laugh.
He also looked forward to spending his winter months in McAllen, Texas, where he and Bernice could dance and attend jam sessions. They enjoyed going down to Texas for the winters for 37 years.
His friendliness, generosity, sense of humor and witty personality will be deeply missed. He had a great love for his family and friends, his country, Swaledale, Thornton, Rockwell and the North Iowa area.
Orville was a member of the Thornton American Legion, Mason City VFW, 96th Infantry Division and St. Paul Lutheran Church of Thornton.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Bernice. Son: Don (Julie), children: Todd (Julie); Heather. Son: Ed (Rebecca), children: KayLee (Chris) Anderson; Leighton Knaus; Jacqlyn; Emily; Edison, all of Swaledale, IA. Son: Rich (Alyce), children: Caroline; John “Jack” of Glenview, IL. Daughter: Susan (Bob) Shanks, children: Nicholas; Parker, of Plainview, MN. Granddaughter: Amanda (Travis) Hobbiebrunken, children: Alec; Aisley of Sheffield, IA. Grandson: Brandon (Jody) Sheriff, children: Genna; Gavin; Graci of Sioux Falls, SD, sister-in-law and brother-in-law: Alice and Vic Klopping. Sisters-in-law: Ardis Richardson, Gladys Wandro, Gloria Nauman and Janet Nauman. Brothers-in-law: Lester Nauman and Paul Nauman, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Herman “Deed” and Fredericka “Freda”; son, Jack; daughter-in-law, Bonnie; brother, Dale; sister-in-law, Jeannette; great-nephew, David Caspers; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Emmett Fredrick and Hannah Nauman; brothers-in-law, Donald Wandro, David Nauman and Emmett Nauman Jr.; sisters-in-law, Phyllis Nauman and Vera Nauman; nephews, Derek Nauman and Russell Nauman and numerous cousins.
Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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