Teresia Paulette Kasperek

Teresia “Teri” Paulette (Graves) Kasperek, RN (retired) and US Army veteran, passed away on Thursday, August 10, 2023 in Wichita, KS. She was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Paul Irwin and Helen Louise (Kuntz) Graves on August 15, 1948.

Teri was a Hutchinson High School graduate (1966), served in the US Army from 1966-1968 as a SP4, and upon release from duty, obtained her bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University (1973) and became a Registered Nurse. Upon retirement from nursing, and never shying away from hard work, Teri enjoyed volunteering for various groups including the Sedgwick County Zoo, Vet-To-Vet Support Command (Wichita) and at the Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center. Teri, along with her husband Gerald, “Jerry,” were honored as volunteers of the year at the Sedgwick County Zoo. They were fondly known as “The Teri and Jerry Team.” Even upon the passing of Jerry in 2017, she continued to dedicate her time and efforts to the Zoo and organizations she loved. And in 2018, she was the KPTS (Kansas PBS) Distinguished Volunteer of the Year. She will truly be missed.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Kasperek and her parents, Paul and Louise (Kuntz) Graves and her brother Murry W. Graves.

She is survived by her son Paul Kasperek of Las Vegas, NV, her sister Jenifer (Larry) Kurtz of Great Bend, KS, brothers and sisters-in-law George (Judith) Kasperek of Greenville, NC, Jean (Bill) Paul of Plano, Texas , Mary Whalen of Vadnais Heights, MN, John (Janice) Kasperek of Eagan, MN and Mark (Shelly) Kasperek of Shorewood, MN, as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Rosary at 10:00 a.m. followed by a Memorial Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 861 N. Socora, Wichita, KS 67212; inurnment to take place at St. Casimir Cemetery in Wells, MN on Friday, September 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations in Teri’s memory to the Sedgwick County Zoo. You can do this via credit card over the phone by calling (316) 266-8288; via mail by sending a check or money order, noting the memorial, to Sedgwick County Zoo, Attn: Memorials, 5555 Zoo Blvd., Wichita, KS 67212; or by leaving it with the membership office in person at the Zoo.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.HillsideFuneralHomeWest.com for the Kasperek family.