Laura Nieland Casper, a resident of Vero Beach, formerly of Overland Park, Kansas, passed peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus surrounded by family and friends at her home on April 17, 2020.

Laura was born in Jamestown, North Dakota, on August 9, 1950, as the second child to the late Roger Nieland and Elaine Nieland of Pingree, North Dakota. Laura and her older brother Terry Nieland, younger sister, Joan Nieland Lutovsky, and youngest brother, Walter Nieland, were raised on the family farm and attended elementary through high school in Kensal, North Dakota. All survive her, including her mother, Elaine.

An engaging smile and friendly, non-judgmental manner were Laura's traits that drew people to her.  Always ready to pray with or help people in any way, Laura drew strength from her "life verse" Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Lean not on your own understanding, but in all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight."

On December 29, 1974, Laura married Bob Casper in his hometown, Anna, Illinois. They had met, after being introduced by mutual friends, while he was stationed at Grand Forks Air Force Base. Their happy marriage resulted in the birth of two children, Joseph (Joe) Casper and William (Bill) Casper. Joe and his wife, Amy of Owings Mills, Maryland produced three of their grandchildren, Becca (2012), Billy (2013), and Anna (2017). Bill and his wife, Megan of Los Angeles, California, have a daughter, Clara (2016), and a baby boy on the way in the early Fall. All survive Laura.

As an Anglican, Laura was a church leader and participant in many programs promoting the power of prayer and soul healing ministries throughout the United States and beyond.  As a Missions Team leader and member, she traveled first to Kenya and later to Uganda in the 2000's for prayer, teaching, and women's leadership initiatives with the Rev. Canon Dr. Alison Barfoot, Archbishop's Assistant for International Relations for the Church of Uganda.  In 2011 she worked with the Rev. Gene Flanery to establish his church planting ministry La Misión de San Lucas in Kansas City, Kansas.

In 1973, Laura received her BS in Education from the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. She continued her focus on teaching with graduate studies in Montessori Early-Childhood Education through St. Nicholas Montessori, London, England. Her formal education continued with graduate studies in Early-Childhood Education through the University of Houston, 1980-1984.

Laura devoted her professional life to the education of children. First in the late 1970's with teaching with Montessori methods at Lamplighter School, Memphis, Tennessee. She spent time in Christian Children's education in the 1990's as the Founder and Director of St. Thomas Preschool in Overland Park, Kansas, and Co-Director of the Christ Church Sunday School and School, also in Overland Park. In 2008, she ended her teaching career as a third-grade teacher at Whitefield Academy, Kansas City, Missouri.

Laura leaves behind many relatives and friends in Vero Beach,  Illinois, Arkansas, the Kansas City Area, North Dakota, and many other regions of the country.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Laura's Life is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday, August 8 at Christ Church Vero Beach, 667 20 ^th St., Vero Beach, Florida 32960. A reception and light luncheon will follow the service in the Christ Church Community Center. Please contact the church office at 772-562-8670 for additional details.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Laura's memory may be made to Christ Church Vero Beach, 667 20 ^th St., Vero Beach, FL, 772-562-8670  or to the Alzheimer & Parkinson Association of Indian River County, Inc., 2300 5th Ave, Suite 150, Vero Beach, FL 32960, 772-563-0505, or to La Misión de San Lucas, 772 Richland Ave., Kansas City, KS 66111, 913-706-6766.