1st Gaspers

Former Hastings resident, 1st Lt. Kevin John Gaspers, 26, of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died Monday, April 23, 2007 at As Sadah, Iraq.

Rosary will be Thursday, May 3, 2007; 7:30 P.M. at St. Cecilia's West Gym, 6th & Kansas. An Awards Ceremony will be Friday, May 4, 2007; 10:00 A.M. with Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10:30 A.M. at St. Cecilia's West Gym, 6th & Kansas with Father Michael Houlihan & Father James Meysenburg officiating. Burial with Military Rites by 82nd Airborne Division Fort Bragg, North Carolina will be in Parkview Cemetery, Hastings, Nebraska. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 2, 2007; 6PM-9PM & Thursday, May 3, 2007; 9AM-5PM both at the funeral home. Memorials to 1st Lt. Kevin John Gaspers Memorial Fund.

1st Lt. Gaspers was born April 8, 1981 in Hastings, Nebraska to John P. & Pam M. (Lloyd) Gaspers. He graduated from St. Cecilia's High School in 2000, where he was an honor roll student and was on the football and wrestling teams. In 2005, he earned his Bachelors Degree in Accounting from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was Cadet Battalion Commander in the Army ROTC. He was a Scout Platoon Leader with 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. "Lieutenant Gaspers was a soft spoken professional, but a stellar officer," said Sgt. William Fleming, a team leader who served with Gaspers in Iraq. Gaspers joined the Army in May 2005. He completed the Scout Platoon Leader Course and the Armor Officer Basic Course in 2005. He completed the Basic Airborne Course in Fort Benning, Georgia in 2002. Gaspers reported to 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division in December 2005. "I don't' think he ever slept," added Fleming, "He was always checking up on the men and getting ready for the next mission." Gaspers'awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Combat Action Badge, and the Parachutist's Badge . He was a member of St. Michael's Catholic Church. He loved his family, working with his dad and enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing.

1st Lt. Gaspers was preceded in death by his Grandmother, Lida Gaspers and an Uncle, Chuck Trouba.

Survivors include:
Parents: John & Pam Gaspers - Hastings, NE
Sisters: Katie Gaspers - Omaha, NE
Audrey Gaspers of the home
Grandmother: Phyllis Lloyd - Alma, NE
Grandfather: Paul Gaspers - Lindsay, NE
Aunts & Spouse: Peggy & Ed Lowe & sons, Brad & Dan - Broken Bow, NE
Julie Trouba & sons, Charlie, Joe & Tommy - Omaha, NE
Great Aunt: Dorothy Schumacher - Norfolk, NE