Helen Crane

Helen M. Crane, age 87, passed away 21 January, 2009 at the Metroplex Hospital. She had been living with her older daughter, Mary Helen Ralston and her husband, Jack, in Killeen, TX since August, 2006.

Helen was born in Oshkosh, WI. August 11, 1921 to Blanche nee Doughty and James C. Mutch. At the time he was a WWI veteran working in the field of education. They moved to Jacksonville, IL where he became the principal of the high school. There Helen met her future husband, Robert Bruce Crane, the son of the Methodist minister, Daniel S. Crane. The family joke was to wonder how they ever had any fun. Helen graduated from Jacksonville HS in 1938 and MacMurray College in 1942, after which she taught Home Economics in Chillicothe IL. Bruce had joined the Army Air Corps, and was in school in West Palm Beach, FL when he called and asked her to come down there to be married on March 20, 1943. She and her mother rode the train from Illinois to Florida. There followed a career as an Air Force wife, doing Red Cross volunteer work as a Gray Lady for 15 years, enjoying activities with the Officers Wives Club, and being a member of PEO, joining a local chapter when possible. They moved nearly every year, and lived in 12 states, 2 foreign countries, and a territory in the 26 years of Bruces career.

Bruce and Helen ultimately settled in Urbana, Ill. where she lived for over 35 years enjoying many friends and activities. Helen joined the PEO Chapter FF, NSDAR Alliance Chapter, and DAC George Rogers Clark Chapter. She held many offices, including Chapter President of FF, Chapter Regent of Alliance three times, Chapter President of DAC, as well as serving as chairman of state committees. She was active in Community United Church of Christ, and served as President of Womens Fellowship, as well as on the Board of Deacons.

Bruce passed away in 1991, and in 1999 Helen moved to the Clark-Lindsey Village Retirement community. She remained a member of the Clark-Lindsey community until moving to Killeen, Texas in 2006. She continued to be active as an associate member of the Ensign Thomas Huling Chapter, NSDAR, Killeen TX. Helen was a poised and gracious lady, who was very quiet, but had the strength of will to let her opinions be known. She supported her husband in all things, moved approximately 37 times, set up housekeeping and making a home for him and their two daughters of any place they lived, whether on Johnston Island, a spot only 1 mile long in the Pacific Ocean, civilized Rome, New York, or learning a foreign language in Arcachon, France.

She is survived by two daughters, Mary Helen Ralston and husband, Jack, her daughter Carol Ann Crane of Lenexa, KS, and three granddaughters, Kathryn and husband Chris Donnell of The Colony TX, Elizabeth and husband Clint Bigger of Stafford VA, and Susan Surman of Lenexa KS. There are three great grandchildren, 3 step grandchildren and five of their children.
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