Donald Jerome Kaspari Sr.

Donald Jerome Kaspari Sr., 89, of Fargo, ND, formerly of Thief River Falls, MN, passed away on Saturday, October 5, 2019, in Villa Maria Nursing Home, Fargo, ND.

Don was born July 8, 1930 to James and Luella Kaspari in Enderlin, ND, and graduated with the class of 1948.  The son of a Soo Line machinist, he started with the railroad shortly after high school and worked out of Enderlin until 1962 with a break in service from 1951 to 1955 for active duty with the Navy during the Korean conflict.  After returning to civilian life, he met LaVonne DesJardins and they married September 7, 1957.  To this union, 5 children were born: Donald Jr., Mary, Michelle, Keith and Natalie.  When the Soo Line closed the Enderlin roundhouse, he declined a transfer to Wisconsin and used his G.I. Bill to learn the barber profession.  After an apprenticeship in Bismarck, ND, he began working as a master barber at a shop he purchased in Lisbon, ND.  It was also during this time that he began to pursue his interest in firearm sales and repairs. This interest became his lifelong passion.  When the opportunity to rejoin the Soo Line Railroad came up in 1973, Don closed his barbershop and moved the family to Thief River Falls, MN.  During the next 22 years, he operated his home-based gun shop while continuing railroad service until his retirement in 1995.  LaVonne lost her battle with cancer in 1998 and Don continued to live at home until 2013, when he entered skilled nursing care.  The family would like to thank the caregivers at the Thief River Falls Care Center and Villa Maria Nursing Home in Fargo, ND, for their excellent care over the past 6 years.

Don is survived by a sister, Lorraine, of Eden Prairie, MN; sons, Donald Jr. (Janet) of Moorhead, MN; Keith (Donna) of Waterloo, IA; daughters, Michelle of West Fargo, ND, and Natalie (Erik) Johnson of Staples, MN; and grandsons Grant and Thomas Johnson.  He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Luella; wife, LaVonne; infant daughter, Mary; and brothers, Kenneth, Allen, Harley and Wayne.

A Mass of Christina Burial will be held Saturday, October 26, 2019 at 11:00 AM at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Moorhead, MN.  Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 AM. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.