DONNA MARIE CASPERS
Donna Marie Caspers, daughter of George and Grace (DeBuhr) Caspers, was born March 5, 1933 at Auburn, Nebraska. She was baptized May 25, 1933 by Rev. Earnest Haugse and confirmed March 30, 1947 by Rev. F. W. Henkel, both at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn. Donna attended Auburn Public Schools and graduated from Auburn High School in 1951.
Donna began working at the Carson National Bank in Auburn in the fall of 1951. Starting as a teller and bookkeeper, she retired as a Vice-President and Stockholder in 1999 after 48 years with the bank. She was a member of Financial Women International.
Music was another big part of Donna’s life, and she loved anything connected with it. She gave piano lessons, was in the drum section of the Auburn Community Band, was Church organist, and played for many, many weddings and funerals through the years.
As a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Donna served as Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, on Church Council and Worship and Finance Committee, and was a member of Dorothea Wood Circle.
Donna was also very active in the community. She served as an officer in the Auburn Ambassadors, the American Red Cross local chapter, and the Auburn Alumni Association, and belonged to the Auburn Kiwanis Club. Donna enjoyed traveling, including trips to Hawaii, Europe, and helping the Carson National Bank with Diamond Club trips.
Known lovingly as “Big Red” of Auburn, she loved the Nebraska Cornhusker football team, as well as the volleyball and basketball teams. She attended many home and away games, most bowl games, and was a member of the Touchdown Club and the Rebounders Club.
Donna always loved being with her family and friends.
After a mostly routine operation, Donna became very ill while still in Bryan East Medical Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. It was there she passed away on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at the age of 85 years, 8 months, and 10 days. Her parents preceded her in death.
Donna is survived by two aunts, numerous cousins, and many, many friends.
A funeral service was Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Ken Miller. Edith Schlange and Deanne Gerking were accompanists for a quartet including Rick Janssen, Rich Allgood, Kip Reeves, and Ron Heskett.
Casket bearers were Gary Spear, James Grant III, Darrell Kruse, Scott Kudrna, Mike Speece, Tim Brewer, Lee Ehlers, and Mark DeBuhr. Honorary bearers were Barbara Lynch, Sue Brewer, Kellie Grant Fogarty, Carol Schulte, Elaine Bray, Judy DeBuhr, Joan Bohling, Elaine Knapp, Theresa Shelton, JoAnn Rohrs, Virginia Gerdes, David Grant, and Dick Hahn.
Burial was in St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery near Auburn.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.