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Kathleen Jersig Kuper, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, great- aunt, and cherished friend, went to be with the Lord on July 20th, 2024. Born on September 11th, 1925, Kathleen was the second daughter of Kathleen Willis and Harry Jersig. After the untimely death of Kathleen Willis, Harry married Lauraine Miller and together, they raised two beautiful girls. Kathleen graduated from Thomas Jeﬀerson High School as part of the class of 1942. During her years at Thomas Jeﬀerson, Kathleen was a member of the Lassos and a sponsor of the Lt. Col. of the ROTC. While attending Thomas Jeﬀerson High School, Kathleen’s father visited as King Antonio in 1940. Kathleen then went on to attend Incarnate Word College and the University of Texas where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma. During her time at Incarnate Word College, Kathleen met the dashing Lt. Charles A Kuper. He went on to be a distinguished pilot and flight instructor. It was love at first sight! Kathleen and Charlie were married on December 11th, 1943, at the chapel of Fort Sam Houston. Following the reception, the happy couple headed to Myrtle Beach via New Orleans for Charlie to complete his service to his country during WWII. Following the war, Charlie and Kathleen returned to San Antonio where their first three children were born. Charlie worked at Lone Star Brewery before they moved to El Paso where Charlie purchased Mitchell Brewery and became president of the business. Their fourth child, Rick, was born there. Upon their return to San Antonio, Charlie became vice-president of Lone Star. During the time their children were growing up, Kathleen immersed herself in their school activities, in addition to significant volunteer work with various community organizations. Kathleen was a firm believer in giving back to the city that she held so dear. A true daughter of San Antonio. She proudly served on boards of the Junior League of San Antonio, The Charity Ball Association, the Battle of Flowers Association, the President’s Council of the University of Texas Health Science Center, the Sunshine Cottage School for deaf children, The Harry Jersig Speech and Hearing Center, and the Cancer Center Council. Kathleen was a member of the Board of Governors of the Argyle and was Mistress of the Robes for the Order of the Alamo’s Court of Ages in 1964. In 1978, with her children grown, Kathleen had the desire to branch out of her day-to-day life. She called her son, Charlie Jr., who had opened a commercial real estate oﬃce in San Antonio. Kathleen asked if he would consider opening a residential division of Kuper Realty, as she was interested in becoming its first residential agent. This would be her first “paying” job in her life and Kathleen truly gave it her all. On her first day, she learned at the local grocery store that two close friends were in need of a Realtor, one who wanted to sell their beautiful estate and one who was looking to buy an upscale home in the same neighborhood. Kathleen quickly brought the two parties together and the process evolved into writing her first contract on the hood of her car that very day! It did not take Charlie Jr. long to recognize Kathleen’s exceptional people skills, her loyalty to her clients, and her commitment to excellence! He decided to build the residential division around her, and she set the stage for the company’s culture. These qualities greatly enhanced Charlie’s ability to expand the company through the recruitment of top agents, to purchase other residential real estate companies, and to incorporate unique and exclusive marketing initiatives. In just its first two years, the company’s significant reputation in the sale of luxury properties prompted Sotheby’s International Realty of New York and London to select Kuper Realty Corporation as its exclusive aﬃliate for San Antonio, the Hill Country, and South Texas. This long standing relationship continues to this day in providing Kuper Sotheby’s clientele with the finest global real estate services available. Kathleen loved the idea of not only selling real Estate, but selling her beloved San Antonio as well. She was a member of the Top 50 Club (consistently in the top 5), recognized by Unique Homes as a Mega Broker of Texas, and a Who’s Who in Residential Real Estate as published by the San Antonio Business Journal. Kathleen was a top producer in the city for many years. She was a special mentor to young agents who learned so much from her. Kathleen was proud of her legacy and truly loved helping people fulfill their dreams. Kathleen’s roots include some of the first settlers of the Texas Hill Country, including her great- great-grandmother, Betty Holekamp, who came to Texas from Germany with her husband, Fritz. In 1844, they had joined the first colony of German immigrants to Texas led by Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels in order to establish a major German presence in the Republic of Texas. The first settlement in Texas founded by this group became New Braunfels. Legend has it that when the group reached the Guadalupe River, it was determined that the river was too turbulent and unsafe to cross. Perhaps wishing to impress the others, Prince Solms plunged into the swollen river on horseback. Not to be outdone by anyone, Betty Holekamp immediately followed and successfully crossed the river to the astonishment of her fellow colonists. Another legend has it that Betty handcrafted the first U.S. flag to fly over New Braunfels representing the United States and Texas’ new status of Statehood. Prince Carl had envisioned a new German settlement in Texas, but Betty’s flag clearly pegged New Braunfels as part of the United States. Following their time in New Braunfels, Betty and Fritz spent time in Fredericksburg and Sisterdale before settling in Comfort where they built the first house in town. Betty’s grandson and Kathleen’s father was Harry Jersig, who in 1940, along with his brother-in-law and a group of investors, purchased what became Lone Star Brewing Company, one of San Antonio’s largest employers for decades. Kathleen was preceded by and joins in Heaven her beloved husband, Charles Allison Kuper, her adored daughter, Kathryn “Kitty” Kuper Tottenham, her parents, and her sister, Lorene Griesedieck. She is survived by her devoted children: daughter Karen Kuper Royce (Tommy), son Charles Allison Kuper Jr. (Elizabeth), son Harry Jersig “Rick” Kuper (Caroline), and son-in- law, Dennis E. Tottenham (Holly). Kathleen is also survived by adoring grandchildren: Charles Allison “Chase” Kuper III, Madelyn “Maddie” Dae Houser (Barrett), Elizabeth Tottenham Walton (Gantt), Philip Kuper Tottenham, Kathleen “Katie” Tottenham (Cerissa Antill), Thomas L. Royce III (D’Lexis), Harry “J” Kuper Jr. (Rachael), Collins A. Kuper (Allyson), Greta Kuper Stehr, Clara Kuper Rubin (J.J.), and Georgia Kuper Sohr (Austin). Her great grandchildren are Kathryn Fillion Walton, Gantt Harrison Walton Jr., Charles Stuart Walton, Parker Jersig Tottenham, Lawson Sanders Tottenham, Harry Jersig “Tripp” Kuper III, Anna Kathleen Kuper, William Randal “Wills” Kuper, Elizabeth Lynn Kuper, Mildred Lynn Kuper, Frances Kathleen Kuper, Nicholas “Nico” Alexander Stehr, Oliver William Stehr, and Roberta "Bobbi" Rubin. Kathleen’s sister’s children are: Kathy Heinzerling, Laurie Ahner, Mary Sperling, Nancy Skaggs, Buddy Griesedieck, Sarah Griesedieck, David Griesedieck, Tommy Griesedieck, Elizabeth Griesedieck, and Julie Wurdack. Kathleen’s brother-in-law, James Franklin Kuper, survives her along with his children: Cecile McAllister (David), Kathleen Kuper, Marie “Mia” Ek (Brad), and Elizabeth “Buffy” Shackleford (Clint). Kathleen had a profound relationship with God. He is pleased to call her home after guiding her throughout her life. She will be sorely missed by all, and in Kathleen’s words, “Do more than exist. Live. Do more than touch. Feel. Do more than hear. Listen. Do more than listen. Understand. Do more than care. Love,” and “Never give up!” Honorary pallbearers are Kathleen’s five grandsons: Charles Allison “Chase” Kuper III, Collins A. Kuper, Harry “J” Kuper Jr., Thomas L. Royce III, Philip Kuper Tottenham and Gantt H. Walton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be directed towards the Harry Jersig Speech and Hearing Center, the Sunshine Cottage School for deaf children, The Witte Museum, or charity of your choice. The Kuper family expresses their deep gratitude and appreciation to the entire staﬀ of The Forum at Lincoln Heights in San Antonio, Texas. SERVICES Rosary will be held Monday, August 5th at 6:30PM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 223 E. Summit Ave. at McCullough. Memorial services will be held Tuesday, August 6th at 11:00AM at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. Private Interment at Mission Burial Park South.

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Kathleen Jersig Kuper

September 11, 1925 - July 20, 2024