Erlinda "Lyn" Casper

Lyn was born, Erlinda Garcia on January 24, 1929 in Wright, Kansas to Ponciano and Carmen (Servantes) Garcia. Her parents had both immigrated from the Zamora area of the Mexican state of Michoacan, and were married in Dodge City, Kansas in 1920.

Lyn was born and raised in a section house along the railroad tracks in Wright, where her father worked for the railroad. Later in life she would  take great delight in pointing out the exact spot, next to the highway, to her kids as they drove past on the way to visit the grandparents.

Lyn was one of eight children and the second oldest girl born to the Garcias. In 1940, the family moved to Larned, Kansas, where Ponciano would eventually retire after 48 years with the Santa Fe Railroad. Because of this connection to the railroad, Lyn became a frequent traveler and enjoyed day trips to Dodge City and even getting to go all the way to Chicago to visit family.

From a young age Lyn had an outgoing personality and enjoyed meeting new people, dancing, and having fun. During her teen years she was crowned the queen of Dodge City's September 16th Festival, which commemorated Mexico's independence from Spain.

Lyn was instilled with a strong work ethic by her parents and worked from an early age. It was while on the job as a waitress at The Blue Goose Cafe in Larned that she met a young man from the nearby town of Lewis, Kansas. She fell in love with and married David Negrete on October 10, 1949. Not long after marriage the couple relocated to Springfield, Colorado, where Dave worked managing a grain elevator for the Gano Grain Corporation. The Negretes had a son, David, Jr. in 1951. A daughter, Cindy would follow two years later.  Then in 1972, 10 days before her 42nd birthday, Lyn would give birth to a second son, Kent. The family would lose David, Sr. in 1980 after a battle with cancer.

Although she was busy raising a family and working, Lyn still had time for fun things like attending The Newcombers Club or winning a bowling championship on a team with her sister-in-law, Lydia Lovell.  Anytime there was a gathering, Lyn's cooking got a chance to shine. Using family recipes handed down to her by her mother, she would spend all day making her Mexican food specialties such as enchiladas and chicken mole with fresh red chilis and tortillas. Having people around also meant that it wouldn't be long before Lyn would pull out her trusty camera and have everyone line up for photos. "Just one more, in case the first one didn't come out", she would always say before clicking off a few more.

Lyn worked many jobs during her more than 70 years in Springfield. She worked at the Main Cafe, Springfield Department Store and for The Baca County Clerk's office to name a few.  She worked clerical jobs for Dr. Stoner and Dr. Manalo and eventually found a home at Southeast Colorado Hospital in the dietary department. She was recognized many times for her outstanding work and longevity and finally retired from the hospital when she turned 80, after almost 30  years of service.  She missed her coworkers but enjoyed not having to get up at 3 a.m. any longer.

But the job that Lyn was most known for and held the longest was being a sales representative for Avon Cosmetics. Her outgoing personality helped her to become an accomplished saleswoman.  Every year Avon's top sellers are inducted into The Presidents Club.  Members are awarded a porcelain figurine depicting Mrs. Albee, who was considered the first "Avon Lady". Lyn earned the honor at least 15 times and proudly displayed her collection of Mrs. Albee figurines.  She also enjoyed attending the Avon National Convention several times. By the time she retired from selling Avon, she was just selling to a few friends and relatives but she kept it up into her early 90's .

Being involved in the Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church and Catholic Women's Organization were very important to Lyn.  She could always be counted on to prepare delicious casseroles and cakes for fundraisers and potluck dinners.  This is also where she would meet Charles "Brick" Casper, who was also a longtime member of the church. Lyn and Charles, who was the Postmaster in Campo, Colorado, would marry in 1987. The couple enjoyed traveling, dining out and attending dances at the VFW. Charles' involvement with VFW inspired Lyn to become a member of the VFW Women's Auxiliary.  She would lose Charles to cancer in 2011.

Later, in life, Lyn would enjoy scratching lotto tickers, watching her stories and spending time with her good friend Cande Sanchez.  The pair would go to lunch or coffee almost everyday and have fun going to bingo on Saturday nights.  Lyn got to spend her 85th birthday in Las Vegas trying her luck on the slot machines, and after a casino was opened in Dodge City, she would look forward to trips there with her sister-in-law, Tootie Robbins and niece, Jane Reschke.

Lyn passed away on January 22, 2022 at Southeast Colorado Hospital, after a short battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her children and will be missed by all who knew her.

Lyn was preceded in death by her parents, Ponciano and Carmen Garcia, of Larned, KS; her brothers, Andrew Garcia of Larned, KS and Tony Garcia of Tulsa, OK; her sisters, Jane Garcia of Larned, KS; Amelia Medina of Larned, KS and Trini Hector of Kansas City, MO; her husband, David Negrete, Sr. of Springfield, CO; son, David Negrete, Jr. of Springfield, CO; son-in-law, Terry Callahan of Springfield, CO; and second husband, Charles "Brick" Casper of Springfield, CO.

She is survived by her brothers, Joe Garcia and Philip Garcia of Larned, KS; sister-n-law, Tootie Robbins of Kinsley, KS; daughter, Cindy Callahan of Springfield, CO; son, Kent Negrete (Karin Procopio) of Ave Maria, FL; daughter-in-law, Jill Negrete of Springfield, CO; grandson, Eric Callahan (Sara) of Cheyenne, WY; granddaughter, Amy Negrete of Springfield, CO; grandsons, David A. Negrete (Megan); and Ignacio Negrete (Brenda) both of Springfield, CO; great-grandsons, Mateo Negrete of Springfield, CO; Dominic and Brandon Callahan of Cheyenne WY; great-granddaughter, Brooklyn Callahan of Cheyenne WY and many nephews, nieces and friends.