Jeannette Elizabeth Graham

Jeannette E. Graham, 80, of Casper, passed away on June 22, 2026.

On August 28, 1945, Jeannette Elizabeth Eleanor Mergenmeier was born to George and Stella (Lierz) Mergenmeier in Mitchell Township, Nemaha County, Kansas. The youngest of 8 children, she began her life on a farm outside of Seneca, KS, until moving to the College Farm in Atchinson, KS, where her father worked in 1954. Around 1959, they moved to Seneca, KS, where Jeannette attended Catholic school until her senior year where she attended Seneca High and graduated in 1963. After high school, she moved to Topeka, KS, to study at Clark’s School of Business. In 1964, she met the love of her life, Earnest N. Graham Jr., who was a member of the Air Force and stationed in Topeka. The two married on May 29, 1965, in Seneca, KS. They lived in Topeka where they welcomed their first son, Paul. In the 1970s, they moved to Southern California where they spent 10 years and had 2 more sons, Earnest and David. They moved to Casper, Wyoming, in 1978 where they welcomed their daughter, Audrea. Jeannette spent 12 years working for Kmart until they closed in 1995. Her home was always filled with music, good food, laughter, and warmth. All the neighborhood kids knew that they were welcome in the Graham household, a home that neighbors, friends, and her children’s friends would always gravitate to. Jeannette loved music and dancing regardless of if she was at home, in the car, or out on the town. She was the first one on the dance floor and always had the best moves. After she retired, she embraced the role of being a grandma and helped to care for her grandchildren whenever she could. Jeannette and Earnest were married for nearly 55 years until he passed away on April 21, 2020. Jeannette downsized, selling the home she shared with her family for 42 years. She dearly missed her husband and spent her days watching her favorite soap operas, reading the paper, and watching the birds and wildlife from her patio window. Her family remained the most important thing in her life, and her faith was always strong. Jeannette will be remembered as someone who was feisty, funny, and full of life. She was kind, generous, and would do anything for those she cared for. Jeannette was proud not only of the family she came from but of the family she created. Her children and grandchildren were her greatest accomplishments. She was at peace knowing that she was going to be with her husband again and passed peacefully, comfortably, and surrounded by her family.

She is survived by her children Paul (Lisa) Graham of Casper, WY, Earnest (Ed) Graham III of Charlotte, NC, David Graham of Gillette, WY, and Audrea Cooper of Casper, WY; her grandchildren Andrew and Christine of Casper, WY, Skylar of Seattle, WA, Cole of Casper, WY, and Evan of Richmond, VA; and her great granddaughter Julia of Casper, WY.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Earnest N. Graham Jr., her parents, George and Stella Mergenmeier, her brothers; Melvin, George, and Robert Joseph Mergenmeier; and her sisters, Eleanor Rusche, Dorthy Mae Koch, Rosalie McMurphy, and Marie Welch.

Jeannette has already been cremated and will be placed alongside her husband in the Veteran's Cemetery in Evansville, WY. Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Thursday, July 30, 2026, at Newcomer Casper Chapel with reception to follow at River of Life Church.