Maria R Gasper

Maria Rosario Charo Gasper 75, of La Crosse, died peacefully at her home on Monday, June 4, 2012, surrounded by her family. She was born on September 17, 1936 in La Lnea de la Concepcin, Cadiz, Spain to Jos Mara Lpez Torres and Salvadora Figueroa Rojas. While growing up, she took English classes in school, and later studied in London, England. Eventually, she obtained work as a secretary at the U.S. Air force base located at Torrejon, Spain. It was there that she met her future husband, Thomas, whom she married on October 6, 1962 in Madrid. The couple moved to La Crosse, WI. shortly after, where they spent nearly fifty years of marriage dedicated to each other and their growing family. Charo had a love of family and friends, and seemed most happy when surrounded by her 5 grandchildren. Over the years, she cared for many children, and worked at various jobs including Viterbo University, First Congregational Church Nursery School, her own daycare, St. Francis Hospital, Poehlings Wicker Store, and most recently at J.C. Penneys where she worked in the window coverings department. She loved to travel, and enjoyed sharing her native Spain with family and friends. One of her favorite rituals was gathering her children and grandchildren for the Wednesday evening meal.

She is survived by her husband, Tom of La Crosse, daughter Karen (Tim) Grupa of La Crescent, MN., son Michael (Cheri) Gasper of La Crosse, WI., son Patrick (Tim Maahs) Gasper of Janesville, WI., grandsons Alexander and Benjamin Grupa of La Crescent, grandchildren Joshua, Joseph and Julia Gasper of La Crosse, brothers Jose Miguel (Carmela) Lopez and Manuel (Carmen) Lopez and sisters Francisca (Emilio) Lopez, Piedad Lopez, and Carmen Lopez, all of Madrid, Spain, and many other dear family members and friends in both Spain and the USA. She was preceded in death by her parents Jose Maria and Salvadora.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at 10:30 AM at Mary Mother of the Church Catholic parish at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in La Crosse. The Rev. Doug Roberson will officiate. Private family burial will take place in the Catholic Cemetery La Crosse at a later date. Friends may call at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral Home, 200 West Ave. So. From 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, where a prayer service will be held at 4:00 P.M. Visitation will also be held at the church on Thursday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Mayo Health System in La Crosse for their excellent care and compassion, and in particular Doctors Stephen Pavela and Venk Iyer, and all the staff of the Mayo Hospice team. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Marias name to the La Crosse Mayo Health Foundation Diabetes Research program http://mayoclinichealthsystem.org/locations/la-crosse/donate