David M. Casper

A Celebration of Life Service for David M. Casper will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the Alma United Methodist Church in Alma, Nebraska with Mr. Brant Rader officiating. Interment will follow at the Alma Cemetery with military honors.

David Merle Casper, 91 years of age, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025 at his home in Mannford, Oklahoma. David was born on January 27, 1934, to Frank Herman and Edna Mae (Bear) Casper on the Prairie Dog Creek farm in Harlan County Nebraska, the third of twelve children. He attended District #8 where he graduated from the eighth grade.  He then graduated from Alma High School, where he played football and made lifelong friends.

Dave worked for neighboring farmers while attending school.  He also painted bridges and ran the road grader in Harlan County.  He was drafted into the Navy and served 2 years, mostly in the engine room on a destroyer escort.  He moved his family to Salina, where he was the youngest assistant site superintendent for Utah-Summit on the missile site. From there he moved to New Mexico to work on a strip coal mine, teaching the Native Americans to do his job.

On September 10, 1967, he married the love of his life, Alida Sue Ross, in Long Island, Ks.  David and Rebecca were born to this marriage.  Timothy, Tamela, Terrill, and Ty were born during his prior marriage.

He worked on many construction sites, from grain elevators to college buildings to churches to homes.  While remodeling Presser Hall at Bethany College, the president asked him to be the Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds.  He retired from the College after 20 years and opened Casper Ice Cream and Deli in Lindsborg. From there he was the Maintenance Supervisor for son, Tim's McDonalds restaurants in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  Back to Lindsborg, Dave drove the handicapped school bus as well as the trip bus for USD 400.  Upon his wife's retirement in 2007, he also retired for the last time, and they moved to Mannford, Oklahoma, to be near daughter, Becky's family.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church wherever he lived and served on boards and always volunteered his time to fix-it.  He was a former member of the Lindsborg Kiwanis Club and a 4-H project leader.

He greatly enjoyed time spent with his children and grandchildren, from traveling to watching their musical and sporting activities.  Dave and Alida enjoyed the Colorado mountains, traveling there in their motorhome in the summer.  They traveled to 47 states, Canada, Mexico, Sweden and Denmark together.

Preceding him in death were his parents; brothers: Donald Casper, Raymond Casper, and Richard Casper; and sister, Barbara Porter.

Dave is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 57 years, Alida of Mannford, Oklahoma; 3 sons: Tim (Keisha) Casper of Skiatook, OK; Ty (Linda) Casper of Tucson, AZ; and David (Carey) Casper of Wells, KS; 3 daughters: Tamela Casper and Terrill Casper, both of Tucson, AZ; and Rebecca (Robert) Day of Mannford; 13 grandchildren; 5 step-grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 12 step-great-grandchildren.  Dave is also survived by 3 brothers: Robert (Judy) Casper of Lancaster, CA; Ronald Casper of Lincoln, NE; and Larry Casper of Alma; 4 sisters:  Linda Vincent of Omaha, NE; Sharon Crawford; Shirley Casper; and Cathy (Douglas) House, all of Alma; and his nieces and nephews, and other relatives and numerous friends.

Visitation will be held on Monday, May 5, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma.

Memorials in David's honor are kindly suggested to the Alma Volunteer Fire and Rescue.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.