Deloise “Jane” Graham was born at home in Seward County, Nebraska, to Howard and Barbara (Wolff) Graham. She grew up on the family farm with her six siblings and was proud of her rural heritage. She lived in Seward as a teenager, graduated from Seward High School in 1941, and worked as a school teacher before moving to Grand Junction, Colorado, and eventually Yuma, Colorado, with her oldest sister. In Yuma she found God’s choice for her husband and married Lile McCasland on February 19, 1952. They spent 60 years together on the farm in Yuma and are now rejoined in heaven.

Jane and Lile both lived through the Great Depression and knew the value of hard work and saving. They worked as sharecroppers on the land east of Yuma and south of Eckley. Farming, ranching, and serving The Lord were the definitions of their family as they raised two children, Douglas Wayne McCasland and Jayna Lynne (McCasland) Simpson.

Jane’s faith in God was the foundation of her life and she was a strong prayer warrior who prayed daily for her family and whatever else God laid on her heart. Often the answer to a question was, “Have you prayed about it?” She prayed about everything including asking God to wake her up when the Thanksgiving turkey was done. When she woke in the middle of the night, the turkey was done to perfection. That personal relationship with God was the strength of Jane’s faith.

That faith translated into her serving as the church treasurer and as a Sunday school teacher for many years. Jane was also deeply committed to teaching a community women’s Bible study as well as being involved in the Imperial Valley Holiness Camp in Nebraska. Years later her Sunday school kids would come as adults to tell her she was the best Sunday school teacher they ever had.

Jane was also an excellent cook who passed her love of cooking on to her children. Often when we would arrive at a potluck dinner, Jane’s food would be sought out first because we all knew it would be tasty. Food was involved in many of the traditions of her family and will leave warm memories to cherish.

The years took a toll on Jane’s body and she steadily became more frail and mobility was a challenge. Although her body was frustrating, her mind remained sharp and her love for Jesus never waned.

Jane departed this earthly life on January 10, 2016, at Doug’s home just three weeks shy of 92 years. She is survived by her family, son Doug (Shannon) McCasland and daughter Jayna (Brian) Simpson. Surviving grandchildren include Miranda McCasland, Alyssa McCasland, Joshua Simpson, Aaron Simpson, and Micah Simpson. Surviving siblings include: Audrey Kilzer, Elva Wilken, Dean Graham, and Norma Duer. Surviving in-laws include: Betty Allen, Coeta (Francis) Perry, Dick (Karen) McCasland, Marvin (Mary) McCasland, Lorrain McCasland, Mary Jane Allen, Don (Carolyn) McCasland. Preceding her in death are her husband, Lile McCasland, her parents Howard and Barbara Graham and sisters and in-laws, Claudine (Melvin) Carpenter, Faye (Walter) Lanman, Willard Kilzer, Lawrence “Bud” Wilken, Carl Reinmiller, Fredrick “Fritz” Duer, Gladys Graham and Dorral McCasland.

A gathering to celebrate Jane’s life will take place at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at the Faith Bible Baptist Church, 3265 CR 38 in Yuma. Interment will take place at the Yuma Cemetery.

“Eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, and neither has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Paraphrase of I Corinthians 2:9