Chadrad.com

Ila Mae Gaspers died Friday, August 28, 2009 at Heritage Estates in Gering.

Ila was born July 27, 1912 in Rushville to Jacob and Inger (Michaelson) Johnson. She was the only girl in a family with seven brothers, and was raised on the family farm north of Rushville. She graduated from Rushville High School in 1931, and taught at one-room country schools until World War II. She moved to Los Angeles, CA and worked in an aircraft plant during the war. She married John Michael Gaspers, also of Rushville, in Los Angeles on June 8, 1946, and they returned to Rushville. She taught at a country school until 1957, when she began a career as the first-grade teacher in the Rushville Public Schools. She taught at Rushville until she retired in 1978. During this time, she also attended Chadron State College, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.

Immediate Survivors:

Son- James (Charlotte) Gaspers of Scottsbluff, NE.

Daughters- Margie (Jerry) Dishong, Pamela (Doug) Warner, both of Scottsbluff; NE; Kathy Goranson of Portland, OR.

Grandsons- Joseph Goranson of Portland, OR; Brian (Leah) Dishong of Lafayette, LA; James Dishong of Phoenix, AZ; Scott (Joni) Dishong of Greeley, CO; Michael Gaspers of Scottsbluff, NE; Paul Warner of Kansas City, MO; Chris Warner of Scottsbluff, NE; Matt Warner, currently stationed with the Marine Corp in Japan.

Granddaughter- Michelle (Alan) Salsbery, currently stationed with the 98th Army Band, Fort Rucker, AL.

Great Grandchildren- Norah and Harrison of Greeley, CO; Cielo, and Analia Dishong of Lafayette, LA.

Preceding her in death was her husband, John, her parents Jacob and Inger Johnson, and her brothers Alvin, Milford, Annis Glenn, Joseph, Willard, Lawrence, and Clifford.