Obituary of William Lavern Jasper

Survivors include his, wife, Joyce, 4 children: Jacqueline (Alex) Tsao of East Straudsburg, PA, Cheryl (Bo) Cote of Aspen, CO, Laura (Tom) Fieweger of West Chester, PA, Joseph (Kelly) Jasper of Edina, MN, 9 grandchildren: Andrew, Alex, Becca and Henry Cote, Rachel and Sam Fieweger, Sam, Jack and Betsy Jasper, 4 brothers: Herb of Dyersville, Merlin (Lillian) of Manchester, Gene of Whitter, CA, Tom (Joan) of Masonville, IA, 1 sister, Norma (Jim) Wilhelm of Dyersville, 3 sisters-in-law, Phyllis Gansemer, Eunice Burkle and Judy Burkle, and three brothers-in-law: Joseph (Gloria) Burkle, Lee (Karen) Burkle, and Gary Burkle. He was preceded in death by his parents and parents-in-law, Irvin and Josephine Burkle, 3 sisters-in-law: Helen Jasper and RoseAnne Jasper and LaVonne (Elmer) Tegeler and 3 brothers-in-law: Donald and Dennis Burkle and, and Gerald Gansemer. Bill was born on July 15, 1927, in Dyersville, Iowa, the son of Aloys and Clara (Heiring) Jasper. He married Joyce Burkle on August 22, 1950, in Dyersville, Iowa. Bill owned and operated Jasper Construction, a land improvement contracting business, from 1948 - 1993. He was a charter member of the Iowa Land Improvement Association and was a member of the Southeast Chapter of the Iowa Land Improvement Contractors Association where he served as President twice. Bill won numerous awards including Master Contractor and Contractor of the Year. Bill actively served the community as a member of the Hospital Lay Board, the Dyersville City Council, and as an usher at church. He was elected to a three-year term as a member of the St. Francis Xavier Parish Lay Board, one of his most cherished honors. A man of great faith, Bill attended mass daily at St. Francis. Bill and Joyce Jasper owned a second home in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as their wonderful home in Dyersville, Iowa. Bill's home in Iowa was on a large wooded plot. As an avid outrdoorsman, Bill converted his fields into a large and extensive tree farm. When the trees matured he donated hundreds of his trees to many charitable organizations. Bill loved the outdoors he created, especially in the fall. As a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, Bill took great joy in his being with his growing and active family. With his beloved wife Joyce, Bill has 17 extended members in his dynamic family. Friends may call from 2 - 8 p.m. Sunday, January 17, 2010, at Kramer Funeral Home in Dyersville, Iowa where a parish scripture service will be held at 3 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, January 18, 2010, at St. Francis Xavier Basilica, Dyersville, Iowa with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Phil Kruse will officiate.