March 1, 1929 – May 10, 2020
Marie Kasper, age 91, passed away in Saskatoon on Mother’s Day. She leaves behind five children: Derek (Johanne), Borden (Carol), Janae Brownley, Orrin (Helen) and Darla (Rick). Marie is survived by 13 grandchildren: Christian, Sarah, Naomi, Aaron, Caleb, Rhea, Seth, Hannah, Chandra, Carissa, Mathew, Melissa and Royce; 9 great-grandchildren: Noah, Ryan, Logan, Everett, Elisha, Emmett and Sophia, Maëlys, and Camille; and, many nieces, nephews and friends. She is predeceased by her grandson Noah; her sister Doris; her brothers Nick, George, Peter and Boris; and, her parents, John and Elizabeth Labiuk.
Mom was born on the family farm at Samburg, Saskatchewan on March 1, 1929. She attended Kalyna Public School for her elementary education before assuming the farm duties of her mother who had fallen ill. This experience of leaving school at such a young age may be the reason she was so passionate about formal education for her children. She completed her legal secretary training in Prince Albert and worked for many years in Leader, Saskatchewan. Mom was a very intentional listener, first to offer a helping hand, fiercely independent, gracious in her acceptance of life transitions, and grateful for each small act of kindness. She had that understated sense of humour often accompanied by a twinkle in her eye.
We wish to thank Hilbert and Grace and their staff at Healthy Life Care in Saskatoon for the wonderful care that Mom received and the gracious hospitality they extended to her many visitors over the past year and a half.
Due to Covid 19, there will be no service at this time. Condolences can be posted at http://www.funksfuneralhome.ca. As your expression of sympathy, a donation may be made to Saskatchewan Heart and Stroke. 1738 Quebec Avenue, Unit 26, Saskatoon SK. S7K 1V9
My grandma was the best grandma you could ask for. She was funny, kind, warm, supportive and accepting. I thought of her as the “Nomad Grandma” when I was younger as she was always going back and forth to visit her children and grandma. I loved that she took me to plays and when say “fiddle sticks!’ while driving when she needed to substitute another word.. Or calling me “MaCduff” in response to something. I’ll miss most our conversations on a variety of topics. I miss you very much, Grandma.
Dear Kasper family,
I am saddened to know that Marie is gone from this world. I will always treasure & remember her friendship. She was very special to me, as a dear friend of my Mom’s, but also, she & I had our own special affinity. She was an exceptionally good listener–a rarity in our world. She was a thoughtful person in the true sense of the word–she intently thought through what she said or did. I loved her. May she rest in the arms of the angels. She was a good & faithful servant, her life’s work well done.
Love from
Terry Lou
Given that we could not all be together to celebrate Mom, I choose two excerpts to share from Mom’s burial service:
Mom loved books and passed on this love of reading to her children and grandchildren. She particularly liked the pictures and verses from “If you’re not from the prairie” and gifted this book to several people. In her last few days, Mom’s restlessness would quiet when I read this book to her. I choose one verse:
If you’re not from the prairie, you can’t know my soul,
You don’t know our blizzards, you’ve not fought our cold.
You can’t know my mind, nor ever my heart,
Unless deep within you, there’s somehow a part. . . .
A part of these things that I’ve said that I know,
The wind, sky and earth, the storms and the snow.
Best say you have – —- and then we’ll be one.
For we will have shared that same blazing sun.
Mom saved very few personal possessions over her lifetime, although she became the repository of her family’s cultural collection of embroidered linens, Ukrainian Easter eggs, and other family documents. She saved two medals from when she was 13 won at public school competition for high jump and hop skip and jump. She saved her two thick pigtails when she cut her hair as a young teen. She saved the baptism gown, bunting bag and beaded bracelet from her first born son’s birth. She saved the scrapbook of her trip to Holland in 1966 to visit her brother George’s grave. She saved a small wooden bowling trophy for high game average in the 93-94 Tuesday Ladies bowling league. She saved and cherished the many pictures and gifts from family. Gifted items were kept and preserved in pristine condition rather than used as intended. I want to close with a reading that Mom saved since 1991 that really spoke to her and that she shared with me:
For every dream in your heart,
I wish you greater inspiration.
For every hope you seek,
I wish you unexpected miracles.
For every opportunity awaiting you,
I wish you an extra chance.
For every challenge you meet,
I wish you a piece of your destiny.
Your greatest aspiration is but the
Beginning of all that you have to offer.
So reach beyond yourself. .. .
And let your heart carry you even higher.
Barbara Vecqueray.
We loved your mom a lot. She was one of the many mothers to all the kids on the street, and my dad loved to work with her for all of those years. Thinking of all of you at this time.
Darla, Rick and family,
A mother’s love is patient, constant, supportive and unconditional. She has touched each of you with her special graces and these will flourish and stay with you always. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
My thoughts are with you during this time of sorrow, knowing that the memories of your mother and the times you spent together will bring you peace, strength and comfort.
Dean and Bev Nagel
Condolences to the Kasper family we remember your mom well. Hugs to all.
My heart goes out to you all during this very difficult time. Your mom was always cheery and pleased to chat, when I met her at Darla’s home. Yes, she always had a twinkle in her eyes. She was a very strong women as she met challenges in her life. A wonderful role model for so many people.
We’re so sorry for the loss of your dear MOM! Marie was very loved, by all her friends at King Edward Place!!
Sincere condolences to the Kasper family! Your mother was such a special and lovely lady! She was kind and caring and had a heart of gold! I was always very fond of her!
I remember her (and your whole family) so well from so many years ago when we lived beside each other in Leader when we were kids. Our neighborhood was bustling with kids because the Pomreinke family lived across the street from us as well So many fond childhood memories!! I have thought about you all quite often and wondered where life had taken you and hoping it was treating you good! It is good to see that she was blessed with a long life and a large beautiful family!
So take care and hugs to you all and praying for peace and healing of your hearts! Rest in peace Marie!
Your mom has been the sixth member of your household for so many years that I did not think of the Cheetham family without her as an integral part of it. When she was able, she included your many friends in her circle as her own. Her resilience was inspiring and her presence so welcome. A privilege to have known her.
Our sincerest condolences to the Kasper family. May the love around you be your comfort during this time.
Back some years ago I went on a beautiful journey all the way to Alberta with my Aunt Helen and Uncle Orrin. It was my first time away from home and by the time we got to Saskatchewan I had been feeling abit homesick. However once I was greeted by Ms.Kasper in her home, I felt so warm and comforted. I will never forget my first meeting with you, and those kind eyes. The Picture above is a great one.
Rest easy Marie
My sincere sympathy to the Kasper family. I remember your mom working for the lawyer and her laugh. She was a great lady.
Mom was a lifelong learner and amazing in her attention to detail. She discovered new artists, musicians, authors, events, through CBC radio (turned it on as soon as she got out of bed in the morning), reading the Leader Post and tweaking the Mary Moore recipes, or as she aged indulging her love of reading. She was a creative cook and loved trying new foods or combinations. As a young woman her eye for color and fashion, was noted as she was a gifted seamstress developing her own patterns and creating beautiful garments with a unique look or style. Bowling was a passion in later years and she approached each game with a desire to do better. Her frustration with a less than stellar performance brought her back the next week or the next game to learn something new from someone else’s game.
She loved babies and her whole face lit up with the joy of watching a baby or small child interact with the people and the world around them. She was creative in her play and because she watched and listened so attentively she saw the essence of that emerging person, their likes and their interests.
There were so many moments over the last thirty years where Mom stepped in to offer a helping hand to family, whether to get lunch ready, do dishes, harvest a garden, catch up the laundry or the mending pile, help with homework, listen about their day, read a book with a developing reader, pick up the kids or get them to an activity. What was unique is that she cycled through households in Yorkton, Canora, North Battleford, Saskatoon, Cold Lake and her less numerous trips to Georgetown and Victoria. She listened, and looked around, and then tackled a task without expecting acknowledgement. She seamlessly fit into a families routine, just wanting to help and was grateful for small acts of kindness!
Our sincere sympathy to the Kasper family. I remember your mom so well. She did have that sparkle in her eye and I can remember her laugh. So many memories for all of you to cherish and find comfort in.
My deepest sympathy to the entire family. Loved your mom, her patience, kindness, candid conversations. She was just pleasant to be around. I know my mom also loved visiting with her. So glad she lived a good long life and was able to enjoy her family as it grew.
Derek, Borden, Orrin and Darla.
Jean and I share your loss. We always enjoyed our times with your Mom.
The world is poorer for her absence.
Please accept our sincere sympathy.
So sorry for your loss. I remember her well. She may not have had much formal education (I wouldn’t have guessed that), but just being in her presence with her wit and wisdom always changed me…..for the better. Sending hugs and prayers to all.
Mom was one of many rural prairie women of her generation who may not have had much formal education but possessed a heart and mind that were alive and an abiding curiosity about the world. She was a fabulous listener which may account for why she had a knack for saying the right thing at the right time. A few months after leaving home I called Mom to spill out my anguish about the brutality that exists in the world after witnessing the brutal beating of a man by three or four other men in Bastion Square in Victoria. She listened, intently, and then said, with very much empathy and warmth, “Chin up.”