Mary Casper, 77, went home to be with the Lord on October 20, 2026, at St. John's Medical Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Mary was born on May 9, 1949, in Woodland, California, and was adopted at just three days old by her loving parents, Isabelle and Norman Peters.

Raised as an only child in Yutan, Nebraska, Mary graduated from Yutan High School before attending Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, where she earned a degree in teaching and music. She began her career as a music teacher in the Fullerton, Nebraska, schools, sharing her love of music and fulfilling her passion for teaching children. Although she could play most instruments, the piano and organ were her favorites.

Throughout her life, Mary embraced many different roles and careers. She owned and operated the family gas station in Fullerton and spent time caring for the elderly in nursing homes. Ultimately, she returned to her love of teaching young children, earning a master's degree in early childhood education later in life. She went on to retire from the Lincoln Community Action Program.

Mary's passion for helping, teaching, and caring for others never wavered. Through her kindness, generosity, and dedication, she left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

While teaching in Fullerton, Mary met and married Lyle Casper, the school principal. During their 21-year marriage, they welcomed four daughters into their family: Elizabeth, Sarah, Lindsey, and Anne. Mary later adopted three of her granddaughters, Lily, Madelyn, and Emma, a role that brought her tremendous joy. As she often said, raising them "was such a joy, and it kept her young."

In her mid-thirties, Mary discovered that she had several biological brothers and sisters. She cherished the opportunity to build close relationships with her siblings and their families while learning more about her family's history. She shared a particularly special bond with her sister Marilyn, with whom she lived in Owasso, Oklahoma, during the final years of her life.

Mary had a generous heart and a love language all her own: feeding people. She loved to cook and share meals with family and friends, passing down many of her treasured recipes to her daughters over the years. She was also an avid quilter and a devoted reader who could often finish a book in a single day. She enjoyed visiting thrift shops and sharing her finds with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren or reselling them.

Mary's faith was always an important part of her life. She frequently played the piano or organ during church services, sharing her musical gifts with her church family. After moving to Oklahoma, she became a member of First Baptist Church of Owasso, where she made many dear friends.

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her sisters, Betty Rhodes and Barbara Bomar, and her brothers, Mike Eidson and James "Jimmy" Jackson.

Mary is survived by her four daughters, Elizabeth Casper (Evan Vogt), Sarah Casper, Lindsey Lamb, and Anne Lauritsen (Dave); her grandchildren, Lily Casper, Madelyn Casper, Emma Casper, Sophie Casper, Samuel Fabela, Magnus Lamb, Evie Lauritsen, and Olive Lauritsen; and her great-grandchildren, Hazel Bailey, Tye Bailey and Tucker Saunders. She is also survived by her beloved sisters Marilyn Worden and Suzanne Evans along with other extended family members and dear friends.

Mary will be remembered for her faith, her generous spirit, her love of learning and music, and the many ways she made others feel cared for and loved. She will be deeply missed by her family and the many friends whose lives she touched.

A celebration of Mary's life will be held at a later date in Nebraska. Details will be shared when arrangements are finalized.

Cremation Services have been entrusted to Simplicity Burial Co. & Oklahoma Cremation Centers, 1112 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119. Friends & family may leave condolences and kind words of comfort at www.simplicityok.com