Verna Jean Casper, age 97, passed away with her family members present at Morningside Assisted Living in Lancaster on February 19, 2022. Verna was born in Slabtown, WI to Vern and Cecil (Taylor) Monroe on August 29, 1924. She was the youngest of six children. Her family was quarantined in 1936 as they all had and survived Scarlet Fever.
She attended Patch Grove School, later married Robert Slaght on November 21, 1941, and they had four children. They ran the Golf Course in Lancaster after he returned from the service in 1944. She owned the Beehive Tavern in Beetown, WI from 1959 to 1978. She married Gordon Griffin on June 21, 1971. She worked at the VFW Club, Hotel Bar in Bloomington and Brass Rail in Lancaster. She owned and operated the Doggy Patch Trailer Park in Patch Grove for 15 years. She worked for Homeward Bound for 14 years taking people to doctors' appointments. She belonged to Thorpe-Taylor Auxiliary Post 551 for over 60 years and Royal Neighbors for over 65 years. She married Donald Casper on August 14, 1993.
She loved watching sports, mostly UW Football, Basketball and the Green Bay Packers. She loved music, dancing and playing cards. She enjoyed tending to her garden, feeding and watching birds and especially spending time with her family. She was known by many as mom and grandma by many.
She is survived by her three children: Ronald (Jane) Slaght, Penny (William) Heberlein, and Daniel (Debbie) Slaght; grandchildren Michael (Kathy) Slaght, Angela (Gary) Mogensen, Tyler (Jenna) Slaght, Leah Slaght (Christian), Kelly Schulz (Craig), Kim (Tim) Ballweg, Scott (Sara) Heberlein, Todd Slaght (Shayla); and fourteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by stepchildren Dan (Nina) Casper, Leo (Marlene) Casper, Susie Gray, Marie (Tom) Rector, Larry (Heather) Casper, and Joyce (Jack) Wenzinger. Many step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband's, her parents, her son Terry Slaght, two sisters and three brothers, stepsons Allen and Richard Casper, and stepdaughter in law Diane Casper.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. on Saturday February 26, 2022, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Fennimore with burial to follow in the Beetown Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of service at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Care or Auxiliary Post 551. The Larson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.