Mary “Lea” Crawford

KEARNEY — Mary “Lea” Crawford, 80, Kearney, died April 9, 2021, at Hillcrest Nursing Home, McCook.

Memorial services were April 14 at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home, Kearney, with Pastor Dean Pofahl officiating.

Inurnment followed at Kearney Cemetery.

Visitation was April 13 at the funeral home.

Mary Leona “Lea” was born Oct. 22, 1940, in Belle Fourche, S.D., to Frank and Myrtle (Oxford) Cash. She married Jerry Crawford March 16, 1963. The couple made their home in Kearney where Lea worked as a cook at Kearney State College (the University of Nebraska-Kearney) for 30 plus years.

She enjoyed golfing, reading and doing puzzles. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Cynthia Peterson and husband, Dan, McCook; Troy Crawford and wife, Patty, Kearney; Tracy Hixon and special friend, Brian Nielson, McCook; Shelley Crawford and husband, Doug Hartner, Randolph; and Marci Day and husband, Jess, Amherst; 23 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Judy Doyen, and husband, David, Pennsylvania; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Lea was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jerry Crawford; a grandson, Justin Peterson; sisters, Laura Hatfield and Sally Allen; and her twin brother, William Lloyd Cash.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association.