Laura M. Gasper, 95, of Sparta, died Thursday, September 21, 2006 in her home. She was born on June 27, 1911 in Summit Ridge, Monroe County, WI to Frank and Emma (Ebert) Berendes. She grew up in Summit Ridge and attended Goets School.

     Laura married John Gasper Jr. on June 27, 1938 in Summit Ridge. They farmed on her family’s farm until the early 1940’s. They then moved to Angelo, WI before moving to Sparta. Laura was a homemaker.

     Laura enjoyed gardening and loved flowers. She was a devoted member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, and belonged to the PCCW Ladies Aid.

     She is survived by her children, Conrad (Bev) Gasper of Sparta, Ronald (Wanda) Gasper of Sparta, and Jean (John) Fannon of Apple Valley, MN; 7 grandchildren, Jim, Brenda, Mike, Rhonda, Christel, Sean, and Nicole; 8 great grandchildren, Brittany, Shaun, Keegan, Brielle, Jocelyn, Natasha, Keeli, and Josie; and her sisters, Lucille Schultenover of Sparta and Genevieve Muehlenkamp of Warrens, WI.

     She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, John; and her brothers, Jerome and John.

     A Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sparta, with Father James Leary OFM Cap officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Catholic Cemetery, Sparta.

     Family and friends are invited to call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta, on Sunday from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary and on Monday at the funeral home from 8 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. Memorials may be given to St. Patrick’s SPEAC Building Fund.