CRANE, Helen Frances (Nichols) - b. August 3, 1924 - d. March 25, 2014

[patyrn]

Helen Frances Crane, age 89, went peacefully to be with her loving Savior on Tuesday, March 25, 2014 with her family united by her side.  Helen Frances was the first born child to Reverend Archie Randall Nichols and Mary Frances (McBurney) Nichols on August 3, 1924.  Five other siblings followed:  Florence, Paul, Betty, Melvin, and Walter.

Helen grew up in a Christian home and lived in numerous places throughout Colorado, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas as her father moved his family wherever his Evangelistic ministry with the Assemblies of God Church needed him.  Helen had many fond memories of following her father to the various places he was called to minister.

Finally the Nichols family settled in Severy, Kansas where Helen graduated from Severy High School in 1942.  She met and married Max William Crane on April 4, 1943 in Severy, Kansas.  Helen and Max were blessed with five children, Terry, Ross, Billy, Patsy, and Rodney.  The family lived in the Severy area for many years where they ran a dairy farm.  Helen's family was her first priority.  She loved her home and spent many hours in the kitchen preparing meals for the husband, children, and farm hands who had spent hours working on their dairy farm and in the fields.  Helen had a special ability to take a small amount and make a gourmet meal where no one ever went hungry.

After a tragic farming accident left her husband, Max, paralyzed, she never gave a second thought as to what she should do.  She organized the family and farm hands together.  They continued to make sure the dairy farming went on as usual.  With that load, she, alone, also took care of her husband, Max, at their home until he passed away several years later of other complications.

After the death of Helen's husband, she decided to sell the farm.  She lived and worked as a cook in a nursing home in Howard, Kansas for a short time, spent several years with her sister, Betty in Borger, Texas, and in 1982, moved with her oldest son, Terry, to Eureka Springs, Arkansas.  That started a completely new adventure for her.  Her son opened up a Country Music Show in Eureka Springs, "The Country Shindig", and Helen once again, jumped in and was in charge of the refreshment stand along with making sure all the stage clothes for the performers were washed, ironed, and ready for the next show.  One of her most favorite responsibilities was being a greeter to the guests who came to see the show.  Helen's role in "The Country Shindig" was invaluable.

Helen continued to live in Eureka Springs where she was an avid member of the Faith Christian Family Church pastored by Rev. Gary Hayhurst.  She was one of the earliest members and had become the oldest member of the church.  In 2012, Helen moved to Valley Center, Kansas where she resided with her son, Terry, and his wife. Helen finally had to be moved to the Kansas Christian Nursing Home in Newton, Kansas where she lived the rest of her life.

Helen is survived by her children, Terry Kent Crane and wife, Charlotte of Valley Center, Kansas, Billy Joe Crane and wife, Deanna of Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Patsy Diann Lanning and husband, Billy of Howard, Kansas, and Rodney Lynn Crane of Niantic, Illinois; 16 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Walter Nichols and wife, Barbara and Melvin Nichols; sisters-in-law, Joyce Crane Posh and Juanita Morrison Nichols; brother-in-law, Albert Myer; along with nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Max; her son, Ross Dean Crane; her sisters, Florence Richardson and Betty Myer; and her brother, Paul Nichols.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 28, 2014 at Countryside Funeral Home in Howard, Kansas.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time.  Interment will follow at South Lawn Cemetery in Severy, Kansas. Family visitation and luncheon will be held at the Methodist Church in Severy following the burial, and family and friends are welcome.  Memorials may be made to either the Faith Christian Family Church in Eureka Springs, Arkansas or Flint Hills Assembly of God in Howard, Kansas.  Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.  Arrangements are under the direction of Countryside Funeral Home, 206 E. Washington, Howard, Kansas 67349.

(taken from the Countryside Funeral Home website)