CASPER, Zinnia Elaine

Zinnia Elaine Casper, 77 years of age from Hildreth died on Saturday, December 11, 2010 at the Bethany Home in Minden. Zinnia was born on September 28,1933 in Kearney County, Nebraska to Chris and Inger (Nielsen) Christensen. She was baptized into the Lutheran church on September 24, 1935, and was confirmed in her faith on June, 22, 1947, at Bethany Lutheran Church. She grew up in the Minden area and graduated from Minden High School in 1951. Zinnia attended Kearney State College and then worked in Lincoln and then in Kearney. On June 1, 1958 she married Emmas Casper, and they lived and farmed near Hildreth. Zinnia worked as a secretary for the Hildreth Public School for a short time. In 1972 she started working as a secretary for the Jim Reiss Insurance Agency, which later became the Dorn-Alberts Agency, and is currently the Gary Thompson Agency. Zinnia retired in 2006. Zinnia was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth and served as one of the church organists for many years. She was active in the ladies groups and bible studies in the church. She had also served on the church council. Zinnia enjoyed music, cooking, and baking pies and cinnamon rolls for her family and friends. Zinnia treasured the time spent with her children and grandchildren and she so enjoyed following them in their events. A memorial fund has been established in her name. Survivors include one son, Steven Casper and his wife, Jody of Minden; two daughters, Mary Houchin and her husband, Bruce of Strang, NE and Diane Titus and her husband, Eric of Holdrege; nine grandchildren, Alan Casper and his wife, Misty, Angie Horine and her husband, Randall, Dave Schledewitz and his wife, Kelli, Linsey Dobson and her husband, Scott, Amy Grube and her husband, Andy, Brent Houchin, Michael Houchin, Bronson Titus and Lauren Titus; nine great grandchildren; two sisters, Dahlia Saltzgaber of Minden and Rose Hemje and her husband, Melvin of Hildreth. She is preceded in death by her husband, Emmas who died in 2004, two brothers and three sisters. Funeral services will be on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hildreth with Revs. Steve and Patti Byrne officiating. Burial will be in the Hildreth Cemetery. Visitation will be at the Jelden-Craig Funeral Home in Hildreth on Tuesday from 3-5 and 7-8 p.m.