Judy Gasper, 81, of Oskaloosa, passed away Friday, December 23, 2022, at the Mahaska Health Hospice Serenity House.
Judith Kay Gasper, daughter of Leonard Edward and Frances Marguerite (Freeman) Shaw, was born March 15, 1941, in Centerville, Iowa. She was a 1959 graduate of Oskaloosa High School. Judy married John William Gasper on March 21, 1959, and when her children were young, she stayed home with them. In 1971, she began working with the Jefferson Elementary School lunch program. While working at Jefferson, Judy and John started the West End Bait Shop business in 1976. After three years of juggling both jobs, Judy retired from the school in 1979. Together, they operated the bait shop until 2005. Judy was a past Moose Lodge member and an avid coin collector. In her free time, she enjoyed crocheting, needlepoint, and knitting.
Judy’s family includes her sons and daughters-in-law: John D. Gasper and Michelle Disney of Burlington, IA, and Wade and Heidi Gasper of Oskaloosa. She was blessed with two grandchildren: Max and Kyla. She is also survived by two brothers: Hugh Shaw of Birmingham, IA, and Leonard and Linda Shaw of Altoona, IA.
In addition to her parents and her husband, John, in 2011, Judy was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Debra Renee, two sisters, Charmaine Hartness and Donna Door and two sisters-in-law, Pat and Linda Shaw.
As was her wish, Judy’s body has been cremated. A graveside memorial service will be held at Forest Cemetery in the spring of 2023. Memorial contributions can be made to Stephen’s Memorial Animal Shelter. Langkamp Funeral Chapel & Crematory is handling her arrangements.
