Joseph B. 'Jake' Kasper

GURNEY, Wis. - Joseph B. "Jake" Kasper, 55, of Gurney, died peacefully Wednesday morning, Sept. 14, 2016, in his home, surrounded by his loving family, following a courageous, 14-month battle with lung cancer.

He was born March 11, 1961, in St. Paul, Minn., son of the late Joseph and Faythe (Heyne) Kasper. He attended Carver Elementary School in Maplewood, Minn., and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in Hurley in 1979. He then received an Associate of Applied Science degree in computer-aided design and drafting from Gogebic Community College in 1988.

Joe spent six years in the Seattle area in different design and drafting capacities, including Boeing Aircraft Company, Horizon Research Inc., Mather Controls and Summit Manufacturing. Returning to Gurney, he worked for Basom Trucking and operated his own logging business, Jake's Half Fast Trucking, for four years. He then served as road foreman for the town of Gurney from 1999 to his retirement due to ill health in 2015. During these years, he also worked off and on for his dad in his carpentry and remodeling business.

Joe was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Saxon. He was known for being a hard-working man, full of love, compassion and patience, and also for his smile, both devilish and loving. He loved nature, ice skating, old cars, riding his UTV (side-by-side), family gatherings, drawing, woodworking and his sawmill, and most importantly, spending as much time as possible with his grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.

Surviving are his fiancée, Teresa "TC" Henning, Gurney; son, Joseph A. (Sam Recla), Gurney; two daughters, Sabrina Kasper (Joseph Ceno), Fort Wayne, Ind., and Teresa Kasper (Nick Kotecki), Eau Claire; stepchildren, Amanda (Frank) Jewell, Montreal, and Shawn Basom and Clayton Schimke (Kayla Subert), both of Kimball; two grandchildren, Lavacezya Josephine Kasper and Terezilya Marcella Kasper; two stepgrandchildren, Wysteria and Azaylia Jewell; seven sisters, Rosalie (Gary) Oja and Denise (Ron) Trone, both of Ironwood, Mich., Antonia (Thomas) Velure, River Falls, Gina (Brian) Hannu, Osceola, Kathleen "Kitty" (Scott) Luedke, Appleton, Jane Kasper, St. Paul, and Marilyn Kasper (John Garro), Iron Belt; aunts and uncles, Pauline Haanpaa and Rosemarie (Gordon) Koski, Ironwood Township, Margaret Gingery, Hurley, and Lawrence (Andrea) Kasper and Janice Kostello, both of Ashland; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; extended family, Paul (Karen) Henning, Cindy (Kenneth) Waldros, Dean Waldros, Michael S. Henning, Crystal (Matt) Schutz and Michael Henning (Jean Seiter); and his faithful companion, his black Lab, "7."

In addition to his parents, Joe was predeceased by his stepgranddaughter, Fuychsia Jewell; nephew, Joel Kasper Velure; and best friend and adopted sister, Lisa Waldros.

Out of respect for his wishes, cremation has taken place.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, Oct. 1, at 11 a.m., preceded by visitation at 9:30 a.m., at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Saxon, with the Rev. Frank Kordek OFM, celebrant.

Rite of Committal and interment will follow in Edgewood Cemetery, Gurney.

Luncheon will be served at the Saxon Community Center upon return from the cemetery.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Ironwood. Condolences may be given to Joe's family online at mckevittpatrickfuneralhome.com.