Robert Crane

VISITATION

4-7 p.m., Friday, July 18 at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and from 10-11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 130 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls.

SERVICE

11 a.m., Saturday, July 19 at First Presbyterian Church, 130 W. Central St., Chippewa Falls.

Robert L. Crane, 88, of Chippewa Falls, died Wednesday, July 16, 2014 at the Chippewa Manor in Chippewa Falls.

He was born March 7, 1926 in Chippewa Falls to Stella (Johnson) and Eugene Crane. He graduated from Chippewa Falls High School, class of 1944. While in high school, Bob was very athletic. He was on the football and basketball team and played in the high school band. During summers, he proudly worked on an ore boat out of Superior.

After high school, Bob was drafted and was given a choice as to what branch of service to join; he enlisted in the US Navy. After boot camp, he was sent to Key West Naval Station in Florida, where he was trained to use SONAR and radar equipment. Bob was then assigned to the USS William T. Powell, DE 213, which headed toward Azure, Spain, near the coast of Africa. He was also stationed in Liverpool, England & Ireland. He served from 1944 until being honorably discharged in 1946.

While in college, Bob married Virginia Peck. Together they had a daughter and three sons. Bob taught his children to sail and downhill ski, and took them on many skiing trips to Colorado.

In 1980 Bob married Verene (Voll) Cray, a former high school classmate. After their marriage they resided on Lake Wissota.

In 1946, he proudly attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison on the GI bill, graduating in 1950 with a degree in Light Building Industry. He then came back to Chippewa Falls to work at Crane Lumber Company, a company founded by his grandfather and later owned by his father. Bob was involved with the business for 40 years, retiring in 1989.

In his retirement, Bob enjoyed traveling with Verene, cheering on the Packers and Badgers, and spending time with his family.

Community involvement was also very important to Bob. As a teenager, Bob earned his Eagle Scout badge and as an adult continued his work with the Boy Scouts. He became a Scout Master and guided his two sons to earn their Eagle Scout badges. Bob also served on the Chippewa Falls city council, serving as its president for two years. He was also a member of the ELKS Club, the Chippewa Falls Shrine Club, and the Rotary Club, earning the Harris Award. He was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church in Chippewa Falls, where he served as a session member for many years.

Survivors include his wife, Verene; a daughter, Mary (Dan) Schmitz of Marshfield; two sons, Douglas (Diane) Crane of Siren, Tom (Patti) Crane of Frederic; two step-daughters, Susan (Terry) Borman of Altoona, Carolyn (Kevin) Arnold of Minneapolis; a step-son, the Honorable Steve (Debbie) Cray of Chippewa Falls; a sister, Julie Stafford of Chippewa Falls; a sister-in-law, Jeanne Crane of Oshkosh; nine grandchildren, Jennifer and Joshua Schmitz, Olivia (Jim) Crane-Neumeyer, Joseph (Lacey) Crane, Alison (Rodney) Williams, Sam (Ilse) Borman, Emily (CG) Shoap, Andy and Scott Cray; nine great-grandchildren, Sunny, Oscar, Eddie, Hendrix, Naomi, Miles, Otto, Nadia and Marley; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Charles Francis Crane; a brother, the Hon. William Crane and a brother-in-law, the Hon. Richard Stafford.

A celebration of Bob's life will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 19 at First Presbyterian Church, Chippewa Falls with Rev. Karel Hanhart officiating. Interment with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council will be at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls.

Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Friday at Pederson-Volker Funeral Chapel and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated and may be directed to the First Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund or the Chippewa County Historical Society.

AFTERSERVICE

A celebration of life for Robert L. Crane, 88, of Chippewa Falls was held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 19 at First Presbyterian Church, Chippewa Falls. The Rev. Dr. Karel Hanhart officiated and the eulogy was given by Rev. Robert Hoekstra. Music during the service was provided by Judy Brist, Doug Crane and Carolyn Long. Interment with military honors conducted by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council was at Forest Hill Cemetery, Chippewa Falls with Taps bugled by John Francis. Music during the graveside service was provided by Susan Borman, Doug Crane and Carolun Long. Casket bearers were Paul Nelson, Joie Hertzfeldt, Hunt Francis, Al Mazorol, Jim Mandelert and Joe Teske. Honorary casket bearers were Joe Mandelert, Bill Sather, Keith Coleman and Al Buchberger.