Loretta Jean Kerperin
June 23, 1945 ~ October 24, 2026
Loretta Jean Kerperin, 81, of Taos, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2026, at St. Mary’s Hospital.
She was born June 23, 1945, in Jefferson City, the daughter of the late Robert Herman and Evelyn Flora (Achilles) Hentges. She graduated from Helias High School in 1963.
On September 2, 1967, she married Donald Edwin Kerperin in Jefferson City. He preceded her in death on August 22, 2011.
Loretta worked as a claims certifier for Farm Bureau Insurance for 35 years and retired in December 2010.
She was a faithful member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos, where she could be found at the 5 p.m. Mass, always in the same pew. For many of its early years, she served as secretary for the Taos Volunteer Fire Department.
Loretta was an avid quilter and a member of the Runge Nature Needlers. She loved all kinds of crafts, and each year she made a new ornament for every one of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed gardening and took great joy in her flowers.
Survivors include four children: Carla Massman (Danny) of New Bloomfield, Paul Kerperin (Shauna) of Jefferson City, Anita Branum (Craig) of Jefferson City, and Daniel Kerperin (Andrea) of Jefferson City; her sister, Carol Kerperin (Robert) of Jefferson City; 16 grandchildren: Ethan, Emily, Eve, Eric, L.J., Alex, Noah and Zoe Massman; Kallie Schroeder (Samuel); Kasey, Brady, Norah and Hank Kerperin; and Collin, Benjamin and Addison Branum; and two great-grandchildren, Stetson and Donnie Schroeder.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Donald Kerperin; and her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Clem and Hilda Kerperin.
Visitation will be 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Taos. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m., with Rev. Kelechi Uzuegbu officiating. Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Loretta’s family (in care of Anita Branum) to help purchase supplies and equipment for the St. Ann’s Quilting Circle.
Services entrusted to Trimble Funeral Homes – Jefferson City. trimblefunerals.com
Note: This obituary is protected against unauthorized reproduction or redistribution without the funeral home's or family's consent.
Services
Visitation: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 9:00 am - 11:00 am
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
7319 Route M
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
Mass of Christian Burial: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 11:00 am
St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church
7319 Route M
Jefferson City, Missouri 65101
View current weather.
Tribute Video
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
A true kind and gentle woman, Rest in peace Loretta
Anna Knaebel
Allan and Phyllis
You were always so kind to me at MO Farm Bureau, Thank you for your friendship
Donna
You were always so kind to me at MO Farm Bureau, Thank you for your friendship
Donna
So sorry for your loss.
Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let the perpetual light shine. May she rest in peace.
Roger & Janet Klebba
A Quilter’s Rest
The fabric of a faithful life is spun from love and grace,
And pieces of Loretta’s heart are left in every space.
With gentle hands and steady threads, she stitched her winters through,
And tied together blocks of gold, of crimson, and of blue.
The master needle now is still, the final pattern clear,
But every quilt she left behind still holds Loretta near.
For in each seam and heavy fold, her warmth will long remain,
A comfort in the quiet nights, a shelter from the rain.
The Lord has gathered all her squares and bound them with His love,
To drape across the golden pews in parishes above.
Her earthly sewing now is done, her soul is fully blessed,
Wrapped safely in the greatest quilt of everlasting rest.
Our condolences to Loretta’s children: Carla, Paul, Anita and Daniel
And prayers for Loretta