Ruth Gasper

Ruth Christine Surges Gasper, age 96, of Circle passed away on Sunday, October 2, 2011 at the McCone County Hospital in Circle.

Ruth was born on August 2, 1915 in Circle, Montana, the daughter of Peter John and Martha (Knopp) Surges. She was born at the homestead on Sioux Creek. She attended elementary school at the Sioux Creek Country School and graduated from Circle High in 1933. She attended Billings Business College for one semester before coming back to Circle to help care for her mother. She and her father continued to live on the ranch until Ruth married Edward Gasper on October 6, 1939. She and Ed lived in Glasgow from 1939 to 1941 while Ed was working on the Fort Peck Dam. Then returned to the family ranch and farmed and ranched there until Ed´s death in 1977. Ruth continued to live on the farm and later made her home with Ed and DeVona.

Ruth was an avid gardener and quilter. She made both of them an art. Her profusion of color in her flower gardens was evident in her many quilting projects that she shared with her family and friends. She was always eager to help a new quilter get started and so happy to see the finished project. Ruth loved her family. She was a quiet, constant source of strength and comfort to them. She was always the same and always there for us.

Ruth enjoyed being a grandma. She always had a full cookie jar, swiss cheese and books to read. She always had time to help get ready for special occasions for them. She was more than willing to sew costumes, Christmas dresses and even got in on a few prom dresses. Over the years, she had lots of opportunities to be grandma to so many, it made no difference to her if they were adopted, foster or birth grandchildren. She was fiercely protective of them all and loved them all equally. Ruth was a charter member of the Friendship Homemakers Club and a member of St. Francis Xavier Church and Altar Society.

Ruth is survived by her sons, Edward (DeVona) Gasper of Circle, MT and George (Sandy) Gasper of Sidney, MT; her grandchildren: Jennifer Ross, Kristina Redyoungman, Jacob Gasper, Jed (Natasha) Gasper-Germany, BriAnna Gasper, Gilmen Gasper, Andrena & Kyle Groh, Lynn and Travis Bain, Anne Bjerken, Trisha and Aric Mavity, Joe and Patti Carpentier, Jeffrey Kassner, Peter and Susan Gasper, Michael and Linzee Gasper and numerous great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Ed and parents.

Ruth spoke often these last years of how lonely life has been without Ed. We will miss her dearly but know she is so happy to be with him.

A vigil service will be held on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Circle. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Circle. Rite of Committal will follow in the Riverview Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.