Arvella A. Casper

On June 17, 1928, Arvella Alberta Jenkins was born in Campo, Colorado, to Cecil J. and Alma Alice Eden Jenkins.  She was the third in a family of nine children. Growing up with several brothers Arvella became quite the tomboy.  She was a hard worker and developed a strong work ethic early in life. She and Marvin stood on buckets to wash dishes.  She talked about how often they had to rewash them because they didn’t pass mama’s inspection.  They washed clothes in a tub with a washboard and did farm chores while also caring for the younger siblings.  These responsibilities were theirs because ‘mama’ was frequently sick.  spent a lot of time with her grandfather, she frequently read the bible to him, because he was blind.    When Arvella was around thirteen years old, her first job away from home, was to cook and clean for a large family during broomcorn harvest. She took the skills and determination she learned from this job into her marriage.

Arvella married her high school sweetheart, Thomas H. Casper, on May 2, 1943, before he was drafted into WWII.  They were both very young; she always laughed explaining that they grew up together. They moved in with Tom’s family and stayed in the attic with all of his brothers.  Being married ended her formal education but her thirst for knowledge never stopped.  She learned from the school of hard knocks and had to make a lot of adjustments.  She went from washing clothes with a washboard to learning to use an electric washer.  She learned to cook on a gas stove and to use a microwave.  She also learned scripture, worked towards a GED and took piano lessons.  Growing up in the depression and dustbowl permanently influenced her lifestyle.  She didn’t need a lot of things, could handle her money, kept an immaculate home and became a wonderful cook.

Their family started on February 19, 1944, when Patricia was born in Boise City, OK.  Tom was overseas serving and didn’t see her until she was almost two years old.  Arvella saved Tom’s army pay which allowed them to purchase their first home and car.  Coming home from WWII Tom immediately went to work for others, they had a common goal of educating Patricia and any other child they might have and to own and farm their own land.

Lucille joined the family on November 10, 1946, in Boise City, OK.  Tom and Arvella continued to work and soon their family grew when Glen entered the world on December 21, 1951, in Springfield, CO.  Five years later, Randy was added to the family on December 26, 1956, in Boise City, OK.

When her youngest son became very ill, Arvella turned to Jesus for help and prayed Randy would get well.  With his survival, she became a woman of strong faith and was very active in the church.  Her family was extremely important to her. She had a strong relationship with her sister, Roberta and cherished their friendship.  They could talk for hours. She was also very fond of her sisters-in-law: Fern, Wanda, Janie, Gloria, Jackie, Mary, Irene, Shirley, Lynn, Devona, Nellie (Babe) and Joan. These women were some of her special friends. In her later years, she was especially close to Gloria and Shirley. She also loved her brothers-in-law and all her nieces and nephews.

Arvella worked beside Tom for fifty-seven years in their home, in the field on a tractor, driving a grain truck and with the cattle on their farm in Campo, CO.  She also worked in the Campo school lunchroom and as a bus driver for many years.  The students she delivered still talk about her as their bus driver today.

The Campo Wesleyan Church was an important part of her Arvella’s life.  She rarely missed a service and loved to take her family and company with her.  She served as a Sunday school teacher for children and adults, Sunday School Superintendent, and on the church board for many years.

Arvella had many skills, throughout the years she enjoyed embroidery, joined a quilting club, listened to music, traveled, cleaned, read her bible and prayed.  She was a member of the prayer chain and was known to her family as a prayer warrior.  When things were going wrong they called mom and asked her to pray for them.

Arvella will be remembered as being a quiet but persistent person. She was a peacemaker, forgiving, faithful, kind, humble, wonderful and spiritual. She was “one of a kind”, a friend always willing to help others. She had a great memory for dates; she knew the birthday and usually the year when they were born for every family member and most of the Campo community.  She mailed tons of birthday cards to all the people she cherished in her life, it was nice to be on her list. Arvella had a cheerful outlook on life and liked to laugh.

Life for Arvella had its ups and downs but she was happy, loved her family and her God.  She had a strong marriage, she was one hundred percent dedicated to, and cherished in.  She raised, guided and loved her four children and welcomed their spouses, delighted in her grandchildren and great and great, great-grandchildren.  She had all she needed and wanted. She touched us all and will not be forgotten.  She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Arvella was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Tom, her brothers Raymond, Robert Howard, Laverne, and sisters Juanita and Roberta.

She is survived by her four children, their spouses, her 12 grandchildren,26 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Campo Cemetery, C/O Christy Franklin. 16062 County Road J, Campo CO 81029.