Simon 'Sam' Kasparek

The Mass of Christian burial for Simon "Sam" Kasparek, age 91 of Lemmon, will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 16, 2007, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon with Fr Brian Fawcett officiating. Burial will be in the Harris Ranch Cemetery south of White Butte with full military honors afforded by the Brattvet-Green American Legion Post of Lemmon.

A family and Rosary service will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday evening at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon.

Special music will be provided by Todd Buer and Bridget Harris. Serving as Honorary Casketbearers are Neale Lorius, LaVerne Moser, Larry Moser, Alfred Kasper, Oscar Wiesinger, and all friends and family. Active casketbearers are Buck Naff, David, Michael, Frank, and Eric Detrolio; Greg and Gary Kasparek, and Willie Harris.

Simon William Kasparek "Sam" was born Jan. 24, 1916, in Orange Township, Adams County, N.D., to Joseph and Anna (Schaltz) Kasparek. He attended school in Orange Township. In his youth he trailed livestock to Lemmon for BL Penfield to be sold at auctions in Lemmon. He also summered cattle in the Athboy area for his father while living in a covered wagon. At an early age he hopped a freight train to Iowa and Washington to look for work. Sam was united in marriage to Viola Moser on Feb. 28, 1938, at Hettinger, N.D. In 1945 and 1946, he went to work in the shipyards in Washington. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 6, 1946, and was discharged on Dec. 30, 1946. They farmed on his parent's farm north of Lemmon for many years. While living on the farm, four children Audrey, LaVonne, David, and Rodney were born. The family then moved to Moses Lake, where Russell and Dawn were born. Sam and Viola lived in Moses Lake for 54 years where he farmed and did custom haying until his retirement. Due to his failing health, he was forced to retire, but they continued to operate a hobby farm where they raised bucket calves and horses. Viola passed away on Dec. 14, 2002. Simon moved to Lemmon in 2002 and then to Mott where he resided at the Good Samaritan Nursing Center for the past three months. He passed from this life there early Tuesday morning, April 10, 2007, at the age of 91 years, 2 months, 16 days.

Surviving family members include his three sons and daughters-in-law, David and CeCe Kasparek, Pendleton, Ore.; Rodney and Judy Kasparek, Kodiak, Alaska; Russell Kasparek, Kana, Hawaii; one daughter and three sons-in-law, Ed Ginter, Moses Lake; Dawn and Duane Harris, Lemmon, S.D.; Glenn Jackson, West Point, Wash.; 18 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife Viola on Dec. 14, 2002; two daughters, Audrey Ginter and LaVonne Jackson; four brothers, John, Jacob, Albert, and Peter Kasparek; three sisters, Katherine Ward, Rose Carrol, and Mary Marchinek.

Visitation will be Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Evanson-Jensen Funeral Home in Lemmon and on Monday one hour prior to services at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Lemmon.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.evansonjensenfuneralhome.com.