Dani Crase

Dani Grayce Crase, 57, of Belmont, died on Saturday, October 8, 2016, after a courageous and faith-filled battle with cancer, at Agrace Hospice Care in Fitchburg, WI.  Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at the Evangelical Free Church, Platteville. Pastor Jon Eastlick and Pastor Jason Sasse and will officiate.  Friends may call from 3:00 – 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at the Evangelical Free Church, Platteville, or from 10:00 a.m until the time of service on Wednesday.  The Melby Funeral Home & Crematory, Platteville, is serving the family.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dani G. Crase Memorial Fund.  Online condolences may be made at www.melbyfh.com.

Dani was born on March 19, 1959 in Platteville, the daughter of Dale and Cynda (Curry) Eastlick.  She graduated from Stockton High School in 1977.  She went to college at University of Wisconsin Platteville, where she met Jeff Crase at a Homecoming polka dance and they danced the night away!!  They were united in marriage on June 26, 1982.  After thirty four years of marriage they still enjoyed date nights.  Dani received her Bachelor's Degree from UW-Platteville in 1981 and her Masters in 1986.  She taught for 35 years at Platteville Middle School, teaching sixth grade for twenty two years, 7^th and 8^th grade English for eight years, and spent the last five years as a fourth-grade teacher with a wonderful team who were much more than colleagues. Throughout her time as an educator, she touched the lives of thousands of students, teachers, co-workers, and families in both the Platteville and Belmont Schools. When Dani wasn't teaching you could probably find her and Jeff on their motorcycle heading off to their next adventure. They loved to travel with one another. These trips took them throughout forty nine States, Canada, and Europe. While Dani and Jeff enjoyed exploring they also loved being home, many days were spent playing with grandchildren at their “Pecatonica River Timeshare” or on the farm. Dani loved to entertain and the house was always full with company including kids' friends, Intervarsity gatherings, deer hunters, and family for Easter, Fall Festivals, Thanksgiving, and Christmas parties. As anyone who knew her could tell you, Dani had a very strong faith. She was an active member of Community Evangelical Free Church, led vacation bible school, women's bible studies and seminars, and was an integral part of the Belmont Fellowship of Christian Athletes participating in the mission trips that took them throughout the United States as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Dani's love for teaching, family, and her grandkids was only surpassed by her love for her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Dani is survived by her husband, Jeff Crase, of Belmont; three children, Jacob (McKenzie) Crase and their children, Jerdan (JJ) and Kamryn, of Cuba City; Carrie (Brent) Schmidt and their children, Camille and baby boy (arriving in January) of Deerfield, WI; Emily (Kristopher) Zachary and their daughter, Zoey, of Wausau, WI; parents, Dale and Cynda Eastlick of Belmont; and three brothers, Jeff (Cora Jean) Eastlick of Belmont, WI; Jon (Dulci) Eastlick of Freeport, IL; and Jay (Sheila) Eastlick of Jefferson, MO; as well as, many cousins, nieces, and nephews.