Francis Crawford, 1929-2017

Published 1:00 am Thursday, September 14, 2017

A memorial service for Francis B. Crawford, 87, of St. Cloud and formerly of Albert Lea, will be at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 23 at Country Manor Chapel in Sartell. The Rev. Ken Ferber will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date. Family and friends may call after 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Country Manor Chapel in Sartell.

Arrangements are with Daniel Funeral Home in Sartell.

Francis Crawford

Francis B. Crawford was born Oct. 7, 1929, to J. Seth and Bessie Crawford in Beaver Creek. He grew up on the family farm west of Beaver Creek. After graduation from Beaver Creek High School, he attended Macalaster College in St. Paul and later transferred to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He graduated in June 1954 with a degree in pharmacy.

On March 22, 1953, Francis was united in marriage to JoAnn Lowe. After he graduated from college they moved to Albert Lea, where he worked at Rexall Drug Store. In the early 1970s Francis served a term as mayor and later served on many boards. Francis was a grateful and faithful member of AA for 44 years.

Francis and JoAnn traveled to Arizona for 35 winters. They moved to St. Cloud in 1993 and on Jan. 1, 2017, they moved to assisted living in Country Manor in Sartell.

Francis passed away at Quiet Oaks Hospice House on Thursday, July 13, 2017, after a seven-year battle with bladder cancer and other health issues.

Francis is survived by his wife, JoAnn, of 64 years of marriage; daughter, Julie Wiseman, of St. Cloud and her children Anthony (Emily) of Houston and Beth Wiseman of St. Cloud; his son, Francis Jr. (Josie), and their children Seth, Kalli, Sofia and Josie Rose of St. Cloud; sisters-in-law Eleanor, Marlys and Orla; brother-in-law, George Lowe; and many special nieces and nephews.

Francis is preceded in death by his parents; four older brothers, Harold, Howard (Carolyn), James (Shirley) and John (June); brothers-in-law James, Martin and Leo Lowe and Robert Knudsen.

His family would like to extend a special thank you to Quiet Oaks Hospice House and the CentraCare staff.

Memorials are preferred to Quiet Oaks Hospice House or a charity of the donor’s choice.