Laura Casperson

Laura L. Casperson, age 76, of Plover, WI passed away Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at North Ridge Assisted Living and Memory Care in Stevens Point, WI.

Laura was born November 8, 1948 in Menasha, WI to Carl and Helen (Lorge) Casperson. She graduated from St. Mary’s Catholic School in Menasha and furthered her education by obtaining her Bachelors Degree from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and Masters Degree from Viterbo University.

Laura was a Science Teacher in the Wisconsin Rapids school system for 35 years, teaching at Woodside Elementary and West Junior High School. She was a beacon of inspiration to the many young minds she taught. As Albert Einstein once said, "It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge," a sentiment that Laura embodied wholeheartedly. She was a tireless advocate for her students’ success, ensuring they not only learned but also found joy in the process. Her dedication to education and her students' wellbeing was a testament to her inherent nurturing nature.

Laura found joy in the simple pleasures of life. She was a creative soul who filled her home with the enchanting melodies of her piano and flute. Her love for nature was evident in her passion for walking, flowers, and wildflowers. Weekend trips and bus tours quenched her thirst for travel and exploration, while her love for her pets showcased her tender heart.

To quote Laura Ingalls Wilder, "The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong." Laura Casperson was the embodiment of these words. Her memory will continue to inspire us, reminding us of the beauty of living a life filled with love, compassion, and an unwavering quest for knowledge.

Laura is survived by her partner of 42 years, Rosalie Simone, niece Stacy (John) Ruhl, and nephews Scott (Patty) Johnson and Carl (Shayla Lassiter) Casperson. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother Carl.

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice for their compassion and support, and most importantly the staff at North Ridge Memory Facility, who always treated Laura with dignity and respect as well as the patience and love they showered upon her. We would also like to thank the wonderful neighbors in Windsong Place who have been so supportive and comforting for the past five years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or humane society of your choice.

There will be no public service or visitation. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home, Wisconsin Rapids, is honored to be assisting the family.

Excerpts from a letter written by Laura's beloved Rosalie:

As a teacher she was so very creative, so very innovative: from spaghetti towers to time capsule letters to space simulations to scavenger hunts to student-made/produced ecology films to mineral units to taking girls to Women in Science Day at UWSP to co-facilitating support groups. Her voice so assured and so energetic in the classroom; so fiery, so passionate about her subject; but more importantly, about her students. She lifted them so they could reach the stars.
She loved walking in the fall leaves and hearing the crunch under her feet; the smell of pine needles when walking in the woods on a warm day; the smell of rain and the feel of sandy beaches under her bare feet – whether it be in the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, or Lakes Superior and Michigan. She collected sea shells and sand dollars and coral. She loved sunrises and sunsets, but was wary of storms. Nature was always one of her best friends. She loved Packer and Badger football games, and would often get so excited she’d stand up and start yelling at the tv. Her sense of direction and map/navigation skills were amazing. We never needed a GPS to get us through Nashville or Birmingham. Laura got us through quicker and easier with 2-3 maps on her lap. She loved reading maps and blueprints. She loved dining out regularly. She enjoyed an occasional Brandy Old-Fashioned. She loved heavy, deep discussions about Philosophy and Life. She enjoyed day trips to Madison or Appleton to shop or simply have lunch, as well as road trips and days/nights in Door County or Duluth or up north. She loved the numerous bus tours we took and the L.I.F.E. classes at UWSP after we retired. She loved the yearly winter months spent in Florida. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and wordsearch puzzles. She loved playing piano and flute as well as seeing live theater/musicals/concerts. She deeply enjoyed Aldo Leopold and Fran Hammerstrom and other Naturalists. She enjoyed playing cribbage and dominoes, even though she was never competitive. She cross country skied, and her alter ego was named “Kiki” when she golfed. She had an eye for all things she considered beautiful (which were so very many things): moss on trees, stars in the sky, colorful leaves/trees in the fall, the change of the seasons, flowers, meteor showers, and waterfalls. She wrote poetry and essays. She loved laughing and loving and joking and traveling, and even “flipping” me off! When I coached, she was at every meet – both home and away. Her thoughts and dreams were infinite and made you believe yours should be the same. She had a deep love for all of her many pets…a deep love for family and friends….and a deep unconditional love for me – of which I am so very grateful. She’s made me a much better person because of who she is and who I am because of her.