Obituary for Ruth M. Kasper
Ruth May (Hanley) Kasper, 96, passed away on January 4, 2019. Pre-deceased by her parents, John and Lillian Hanley, her husband Joseph Kasper (married 1944), her sister, Mary Proudfoot and Catherine Greig, and her brother, Richard Hanley. She is survived by her children, Barry, husband of Joanna Kasper, Bruce, husband of Anna Kasper, and Barbara Kasper, wife of Hank Shaw, her grandchildren, Stephen Kasper, husband of Stacey Kasper, Brandon Kasper, husband of Guadalupe Kasper, Jenna Butler, wife of Nate Butler, Alex Kasper-Shaw, husband of Chelsie Mack, Stefanie Bennethum and six great grandchildren.
Ruth was raised at the Topton Lutheran Home from 1932 until 1940. Serving many years as the bookkeeper of the family business, Kasper TV and Appliance Company, which opened in 1949, Ruth led an exemplary life in voluntary service to others. She organized “Operation Pretzel” in the 1960’s in support of American troops fighting in Vietnam and did the same for troops fighting during the Gulf War. Ruth also served as the Chair of Social Ministry Committee at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and- among many other activities- coordinated the “55 Plus” Senior Citizens Group, organizing numerous bus trips and performing tireless outreach to isolated and ill church members. She was also the organizer for the East and West Berks “Welcome Quilts” for babies born with HIV-Aids. For her dedicated volunteer work, she received several awards including from the United States Department of Defense during Presidents Johnson and Bush’s administrations as well as recognition from many state and local officials. In a Time Magazine article, she was dubbed the “Saigon Santa” for her volunteer efforts to support service members in Vietnam. The family wants to share a heartfelt “thank you” to the devoted nurses in the B-2 unit at Berks Heim Nursing and Rehabilitation.
A memorial service will be held Saturday January 12th at 11:30 AM in Henninger Funeral Home, Inc., 229 N. 5th St Reading. Visitation will be held from 10 to the time of service.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church.
www.henningerfuneralhome.com
Ruth was raised at the Topton Lutheran Home from 1932 until 1940. Serving many years as the bookkeeper of the family business, Kasper TV and Appliance Company, which opened in 1949, Ruth led an exemplary life in voluntary service to others. She organized “Operation Pretzel” in the 1960’s in support of American troops fighting in Vietnam and did the same for troops fighting during the Gulf War. Ruth also served as the Chair of Social Ministry Committee at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church and- among many other activities- coordinated the “55 Plus” Senior Citizens Group, organizing numerous bus trips and performing tireless outreach to isolated and ill church members. She was also the organizer for the East and West Berks “Welcome Quilts” for babies born with HIV-Aids. For her dedicated volunteer work, she received several awards including from the United States Department of Defense during Presidents Johnson and Bush’s administrations as well as recognition from many state and local officials. In a Time Magazine article, she was dubbed the “Saigon Santa” for her volunteer efforts to support service members in Vietnam. The family wants to share a heartfelt “thank you” to the devoted nurses in the B-2 unit at Berks Heim Nursing and Rehabilitation.
A memorial service will be held Saturday January 12th at 11:30 AM in Henninger Funeral Home, Inc., 229 N. 5th St Reading. Visitation will be held from 10 to the time of service.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Holy Spirit Lutheran Church.
www.henningerfuneralhome.com