Dec 16, 2016

Obituary: Cranberry grower Newell Jasperson

Newell D. Jasperson died Dec. 14 at his home in Cranmoor, Wisconsin. He was 98.

Jasperson was born Nov. 4, 1918, to Clarence A. Jasperson and Harriet (Whittlesey) Jasperson in Port Edwards, Wisconsin. His mother was the daughter of Sherman Newell Whittlesey, one of the original cranberry pioneers in Wood County. Whittlesey Cranberry was established in 1871. When his grandfather Whittlesey died in 1935, Jasperson was given the opportunity to operate the marsh upon graduating from college.

Jasperson was a long-time leader in the cranberry business. He was active in the Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association, serving a term as president and hosting the summer meeting. He was instrumental in the formation of the Wisconsin Cranberry Sales Co., and was named a director in 1945. He served until 1956, when Whittlesey Cranberry joined Ocean Spray. Jasperson served on the Ocean Spray board of directors from 1971-1985.

Read his full obituary here.