Mary Leona “Lea” Crawford

Mary Leona “Lea” Crawford

Oct. 22, 1940 - April 9, 2021

KEARNEY, Neb — Mary “Lea” Crawford, 80, of Kearney, passed away Friday, April 9, 2021, at Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Neb.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral Home with Pastor Dean Pofahl officiating. Inurnment will follow at Kearney Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Alzheimer’s Association. Condolences may be shared online at www.osrfh.com. Services are entrusted to O’Brien Straatmann Redinger Funeral and Cremation Services.

Mary Leona “Lea” was born Oct. 22, 1940, in Belle Fourche, S.D., to Frank and Myrtle (Oxford) Cash. She was united in marriage to Jerry Crawford on March 16, 1963. The couple made their home in Kearney, where Lea worked as a cook at Kearney State College/ UNK 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 of McCook, Troy Crawford and wife, Patty of Kearney, Tracy Hixon and special friend, Brian Nielson of McCook, Shelley Crawford and husband, Doug Hartner of Randolph and Marci Day and husband, Jess of Amherst; 23 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Judy Doyen and husband, David of 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.