Joseph "Gilbert" Gasper

Joseph "Gilbert" Gasper, of Atchison, Kansas, passed away August 22, 2022, at the University of Kansas Hospital with his loving family by his side at the age of 90.

Mass of Christian burial will be Saturday, September 3, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Church, 705 Spring Garden St, Atchison, Kansas. Parish rosary will be Friday, Sep. 2, at 6:00 p.m. with visitation to follow until 7:30 p.m. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Benedict Parish and may be left in care of the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home with whom cremation care has been entrusted.

Gilbert was born on March 26, 1932, in Atchison, Kansas, the son of Luz (Rodriguez) Gasper and Benito Gasper.

Gilbert married Marie Delores "Lola" Inojos on July 28, 1956. They celebrated 66 years of marriage this past summer.

He began his employment with Rockwell International and spent most of his working career as a steel pourer within the foundry until his retirement in 1994 after over forty years.

Gilbert was an avid bowler and bowled numerous 300 score games; he wore a prestigious 300 ring daily to show off his pride. In his youth he was a billiard player enthusiast. He was a lifelong tortilla maker, AKA "Tortilla Man", selling them at the farmers market and beyond. He enjoyed leather making, especially wallets and coin purses; and was a local youth baseball coach for many years in the Atchison Community.

He was a lifelong member of St. Benedict Parish, attending mass at St. Joseph Church and a was a member of the Knights of Columbus Sacred Heart Council #723.

He is survived by his wife, Lola Gasper, of couple's home; a daughter, Lisa Vargas, Fort Worth, TX; two sons, Jim (Karen) Gasper, Bonner Springs, KS, Anthony "Tony" Gasper, Atchison, KS; three sisters, Theresa Haggard, Anadarko, OK, Martina Love, Alamogordo, NM, Mary Ellen Rodriguez, Emporia, KS; a brother, Blase Gasper, Leavenworth, KS; six grandchildren, Ricky Gasper, Lance Gasper, Nico Gasper, Kyler Vargas, Keegan Vargas, Doug Landrum; and four great grandchildren, Octavian Gasper, Roman Gasper, Eli Gasper and Katelyn Landrum.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Roddy; a sister, Eva; son-in-law, Ben Vargas; and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Gasper.