Reta Marie Casper

Reta Marie Casper, age 79, lifelong resident of Mankato, died Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at Hillcrest Healthcare and Rehab.

Memorial Mass will be held at 11am, Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church with visitation one hour prior. Private graveside service will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Mankato. Please share your favorite memory with Reta’s family online at www.mankatomortuary.com. 

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research (https://lustgarten.org/).

Reta was born on August 18, 1941 in Mankato to Elmer and Sophie (Ziegler) Hauch, Jr. She graduated from Mankato High School in 1959. On July 30, 1966, she was united in marriage to Samuel D. Casper. They were blessed with two sons, Nick and Josh.

Helping others came naturally for Reta. Her passion for people led her to becoming an advocate for victim/survivors of sexual assault. She also loved dogs, watching (and falling asleep to) movies, and spending time with her family and grandchildren, who will always remember her delicious cakes.

When her children were older, Reta continued her education at Mankato State University, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Anthropology. She worked as an assistant director of Traverse des Sioux History Center in St. Peter for 5 years, which also led to many volunteer opportunities in the area, including the Mahkato Wacipi (Pow-wow) Committee. Reta was child-centered and loved children. Her passion led her to opening a daycare in her home for over 10 years. Reta later worked as a sales clerk at Herberger’s for 16 years where she shined being around people.

Reta is survived by her husband of over 54 years, Sam Casper of Mankato; sons, Nick (Kristina) Casper of Mankato and Josh (Mary) Casper of St. Paul; grandchildren, Simon, Ben, and Finley; and sister, Patricia Dobrowalski in Michigan.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Carol Jean Hauch; brother, Daryl Hauch; and her parents.