Richard L. 'Dick' Crane
Richard “Dick” Lee Crane, 73, of Elkader, passed on May 21, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center in Elkader. Dick lived and worked in the Elkader area his whole life. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather who very much enjoyed his time outdoors, including time spent on the farm.
Dick was born in Postville on May 3, 1951, to William and Florence (Yonda) Crane. He graduated from Central Community High School in 1969. On June 9, 1973, he married Debbie Kay Larson. Dick and Debbie had two daughters, DeAnn Crane and Dana Lee Crane. In his early years, Dick spent a lot of time with Debbie roller skating in Strawberry Point and going to dances. He began dairy farming with his in-laws Donnie and Rita Larson. After the dairy herd was sold, Dick worked for Grau Lumber until his retirement in 2013. The majority of his years with Grau’s were spent in the timber cutting trees. Dick enjoyed the outdoors very much.
Dick took many fishing trips to Canada with his closest friends, and he and Debbie spent a lot of time with their “Friday Night Dinner Crew,” who became some of his best friends later in life, dining at the Kountry Manor, St. Olaf Tap, Luana Tavern, Garnavillo and others. Dick’s pride and joy was his family. He could often be found playing with the grandkids on the farm, taking them for rides on the tractors, four-wheeler or showing them the cows. He was always there to help whomever needed it, be it moving his girls from one house to another or pitching in with a neighbor’s harvest during a time of need. Anyone who knew Dick very well knew there was only one way to do a job, and it might take a while to get done, but the job would be done very well.
For many years, Dick rented and farmed land near their home, growing crops and raising beef cattle. His favorite part each year was baling hay. After retirement, Dick worked seasonally for the Elkader Co-Op and, in his last years, he enjoyed working cattle and helping out on the John Orr farm outside of Elkader. Dick and Debbie sold their farm and moved into Elkader in December of 2022.
Dick is survived by his loving wife Debbie; daughters, DeAnn Crane of Solon and Dana Lee Crane of Elkader; three grandchildren, Morgan Richard, Marcus Richard and Carter Richard; his brothers, William Crane (Jane) of Apache Junction, Ariz., Kenneth Crane and David Crane (Pam); and half-sisters, Karen Ann Nealis-Hilgemann and Pat Graff.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents, William Crane and Florence (Yonda) Crane.
Dick’s life will be celebrated by family and close friends in a private ceremony.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elkader is assisting the family.
