Sarah L. "Sally" Kaspari

sarah l.
Sarah Lucille Kaspari, “Sally”, followed her beloved David into eternal life on March 26, 2018. She was surrounded by her family and received such tender care in her last days from the staff at Rosewood on Broadway. Sally was born January 18, 1937 to Ralph A. Selkirk and Nola M. Fitzhonts in Indiana, PA. She was one of eight children in the Selkirk family. Sally attended elementary and high school in Indiana where she participated in choir, Modern Dance, synchronized swimming, and theater. She worked summers as a lifeguard at the local pool. After graduating in 1955, Sally moved to North Dakota and lived with her brother, Robert Selkirk and his wife Marilyn, until she got an apartment with some friends. She worked at the Cass County Agent’s office. After returning to Pennsylvania for a year, Sally moved back to Fargo and worked as a draftswoman for the telephone company. She took instruction to join the Catholic Church and met the love of her life, David H. Kaspari, at a dance for young Catholics. They were married June 6, 1959, at St Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo. Sally was a city girl, but quickly proved to be a wonderful farm wife. David said, “Sally was a whiz on the swather. Her rows were straighter than mine and she never fell asleep and missed little patches of grain.” She always loved to be in the fields helping with haying or cutting grain. When Sally would call David in for supper, she would step out on the porch and yell, “David…Davie-love!” at the top of her lungs. Soon their farm home was filled with babies. She and David raised 10 children on the Kaspari farm. Sally was always, “the baby whisperer”; she could calm a fussy baby by rocking and singing in her beautiful, tenor voice– generally while making up the words to the song. Sally was an excellent supporter of any activity her children were involved in. When there was no one to coach Leah’s junior high basketball team, Sally stepped up and coached the girls to an undefeated season! She kept books, cheered, and drove thousands of miles in her station wagon; transporting the team to whatever sporting event was next. After Sally died, one of the youth from Sheldon days sent a note recalling how everyone, “and I mean EVERYONE wanted to ride with Sally. She loved to go 75 in a 55 and we always arrived first!” Sal had a wonderful creative side and did water color and oil painting. She did a painting of the ND State Champion cut leaf weeping birch which survived the drought of the 1930’s. That tree was a favorite climbing tree of all the Kaspari children and their cousins. Sally was an excellent athlete on the softball field and was a member of the ND State Championship team representing Sweeny Brothers. She could punt the football further than many college punters and loved to play volley ball, baseball and was a life-long Pittsburg Steeler’s fan. She also facilitated a softball game at the farm with the Nuns from St John’s Hospital (in full habits) followed by a picnic and a watermelon seed spitting contest. Sally had a marvelous group of women friends from Sheldon, who would gather for “therapy”. The antics these gals would think up were legendary – including one homemade-wine-inspired-decision to “take the summer road” home from a therapy session. This resulted in a caring neighbor arriving with a tractor to excavate the completely buried station wagon. In the 1970s Sally and David were active participants and regional leaders for Marriage Encounter. They also served as ‘Ma and Pa’ for the retreat program, Search for Christian Maturity, meeting hundreds of young people from the diocese. Sally and David moved to Riverview Place, Fargo, in 1989 and joined another wonderful, close-knit community. They both became Associate Members of the Sisters of Mary of the Presentation, who managed Riverview. Their friendship with the nuns was something they both cherished. Sally also embraced her volunteer role as Sr. Josephine’s assistant; helping in the dining room and working in the laundry. Sally joined Sr. Josephine on the trip of a lifetime to Ireland to meet Sr. Josephine’s family. None who knew Sally would be surprised to know she was singing in the pub with the locals! Sally and Dave moved into their last home, Rosewood on Broadway, in 2009. Both had chronic health issues and received the most compassionate, respectful care for 9 years. Sally certainly had some extra special caregivers, who went way above and beyond their “jobs”. In death as in life, Sally and Dave did everything together. David died on Friday, March 23, 2018, and Sally was not about to be left behind. She died on Monday, March 26, 2018. If you knew Sally, you might know this was the first time Dave got to be “first” for anything. Waiting to welcome Sally in heaven are, David, her beloved husband of 58 years, son Mike, and infant son, Paul. Preceding Sally in death are her parents, Nola and Ralph A. Selkirk; brothers, Ralph Jr, Samuel, Robert, John, William and Thomas Selkirk; sister, Doris Desch and sister-in-law Betty (John) Selkirk. Those on earth who loved and will miss her; 9 children; Jon (Brenda), Rob (Jeanne), daughter-in-law Donita Kaspari, Tom, Sarah (Ray) Baker, Joe (Laura), Leah (Scott) Rocholl, Chris (Julie), Jane (Troy) Schuh and Ruth (Kyle) Edgerton. Sally had 26 fabulous grandchildren (many with wonderful spouses) and 13 great-grandchildren who brought such joy to her. Her dear sister-in-law, Marilyn (Stromme) Selkirk, remains a beloved member of the family. Memorials in lieu of flowers may be sent in care of Sarah Kaspari Baker, 2007 10th Street North, Fargo, ND 58102. These will be dispersed to their favorite charities. FUNERAL MASS: 2 PM Wednesday, March 28, 2018 at Our Lady of the Scapular Catholic Church in Sheldon, ND PRAYER SERVICE: 7 PM Tuesday at Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo VISITATION: 6-7 PM Tuesday at Boulger Funeral Home – and also one hour prior to the service in the church on Wednesday BURIAL: St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Sheldon, ND

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  1. Dear Jane, It’s tough to lose both parents so close. They obviously wanted to be together. Even though I didn’t know your mom, knowing you, I am sure she was wonderful. You and your family are in our prayers. Love, Robin and Steve

  2. What lovely and remarkable parents you had! Great tributes to their lives and even in death, a tribute to their eternal love. Prayers to your family during this very difficult time.

  3. Dear family,
    You are a family whose blessing was two terrific parents. My heart and prayers go out to you. Especially to you, Brenda and Jon, may the joy of song be a fond remembrance. It is said,
    “To love someone is to know their song, and when they can no longer sing, to sing it for them.”

    Nancy and Neil Jordheim

  4. To the Kaspari Family, my thoughts & prayers are with you all in this time of sorrow.
    Remember & cherish all the good times you’ve had with your parents. Many blessing to you all.

  5. Dear Kaspari family,
    I left a message on Dave’s obituary page yesterday, but today I watched your video on Sally’s page and just had to comment again. I loved seeing all the pictures of your family! What a precious legacy your Dad and Mom have left you! Wow, that love goes on and on and on… So many pictures of Sally with a baby in her arms…she truly was a warm, loving woman. Babies can sense that and anyone who was hugged by Sally knew it too. I guess I didn’t realize how much of an impact Dave and Sally had on me during my early days of Search. They just were always there:) As one Sister wrote to me when my Mom died a few years ago, “They are nearer to you now in a whole new way.” A day doesn’t go by that I don’t think of her. The same will be true for all of you, no doubt. Be comforted by the sure knowledge that they are together with Jesus in Heaven. Know that the Sisters and I will be praying for you here at Maryvale every day. May you all have a Blessed and Glorious Easter!

  6. Our condolences to the Kaspari Family. I am sure we met most of you at Marriage Encounter Camp in the sandhills during the 1980’s. Your parents were one of the presenting couples on our November week-end in 1980. I will never forget your mother’s talk. It resonated with my heart and I felt I finally had someone who articulated what was going on in my life….such courage it took on their parts to share their story! God’s blessings to all of you. They were wonderful parents and you truly were blessed!!! We will be sending in a memorial for perpetual masses in both of their names. Clinton and Angela Hoggarth


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