Jaspar, Amanda D. Amanda, "The Loveable One," Maria Duering Jaspar, 86, crossed over to meet her Lord on Wednesday, April 14th in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. She transitioned peacefully in her home after a valiant struggle with C.O.P.D. and heart disease. Amanda was born on February 28th, 1925 in Iphofen, Germany to Josef and Ursula Duering. After serving as a Red Cross nurse during World War II, she immigrated to the United States. She settled in St. Louis in 1950. Following Marriage and having reared two sons, Amanda resumed her compassionate care profession as a nurse's technician at St. John's Mercy Hospital in St. Louis County, specializing in the burn unit, head trauma and ICU. She wanted to be close to her patients, passing over several promotion opportunities in order to stay where she could provide the best possible care for them. Amanda's passions in life included daily devotions to her Catholic faith by praying the Rosary, playing "The Angelus" on her harmonica, (as well as many classical and German folk tunes.) Her gourmet cooking was greatly appreciated and often enjoyed by family and friends. She was especially fond of making Savoy cabbage, but had a wide palette of culinary expertise in a diverse array of traditions, especially European cuisine. Amanda's garden was always lush and full of gorgeous flowers, as well as profuse harvests of raspberries which she enjoyed making into jam. She always shared her bounty generously with many friends. Her raspberry cuttings live on in her own garden and those of numerous neighborhood plots. Gorgeous Blooming lilac bushes from her vibrant back yard continue to brighten the Skinker Debaliviere neighborhood. She also truly loved her monthly gatherings with her "Bunkees," playing her favorite dice game of Bunko. Amanda was a local Senior Olympics Ping Pong Champion, proudly have earned bronze, silver and gold medals. Amanda's spirit was one of service. She enjoyed her weekly altar society at St. Roch's Catholic Church, where she was a faithful parishioner. Amanda had a magnetic personality which left an indelible impression on a first encounter. She had the ability to transform a moment of time into a rock solid foundation for a lifelong relationship. Amanda is survived by her son, Jerry and grandson, Phoenix. She is further survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends in the U.S. and Germany. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Hank in 1978. Amanda's generosity followed her after death, as she donated her body to science through St. Louis University School of Medicine.
--St. Louis Post-Dispatch; April 17, 2011