Gracie Crawford

Grace “Gracie” Eileen Crawford, daughter of Lexie and Ethyl (Price) Sparks was born February 20, 1937 in Osceola, Iowa and passed from this life Sunday, December 25, 2022 at Regency Care Center in Norwalk, Iowa at 85 years of age.

Gracie grew up in Osceola and graduated from Osceola High School and later attended Simpson College. She was united in marriage to Mark Crawford on June 6, 1958 in Osceola and two children, Kim and Michael, blessed this union.  Gracie worked for Clarke Community Schools as a secretary, and later registrar, for 33 years. After retiring she worked part-time for Reynoldson Law Firm.

She enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, baking and spoiling her grandchildren. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends .  Gracie was a member of the Osceola Red Hatters, Chapter K of P.E.O., Research Club and Daughters of the American Revolution. She was an active member of the First Christian Church in Osceola and helped as secretary and treasurer for many years.

Those relatives who preceded Gracie in death were her parents, Lexie and Ethyl Sparks; brother Eugene Sparks; sister Mary Louise Dobson; and niece Cindy Dobson.

Gracie leaves to cherish her memory husband Mark Crawford of Osceola, Iowa; daughter Kim and husband Rob Blink of West Des Moines, Iowa; son Michael Crawford of Osceola, Iowa; sister-in-law Pauline Sparks of California; granddaughter Melissa Anne (Jamie) Gibbons of Clive, Iowa; grandson Bradford John (Katie) Orlich of Washington, D.C.; granddaughter Danielle Christine Orlich of West Des Moines, Iowa; granddaughter Sarah Ellen (Jason) Polakow of Arlington Heights, Illinois; grandson Peter Weston (Stacey) Blink of Monument, Colorado; great-granddaughter Grace Orlich of West Des Moines, Iowa; great-grandson Nash Gibbons; great-grandson Rowen Gibbons; great-granddaughter Celia Polakow; great-grandson Evan Polakow; great-granddaughter Cora Blink; great-grandson Oscar Blink, nephew David (Amber) Sparks of Dixon, California; Niece Mary (Hon) Menenes of Santa Rosa, California; as well as other relatives and many friends.

Services will be held at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola, Friday January 6, 2023 at 11:00 am with Pastor Danny McNeal officiating.The family will greet friends prior to the services from 10:00 am to 11:00 am Friday, January 6, 2023 at Kale Funeral Home.

A live stream of the service will be available at www.kalefuneralhome.com on Gracie’s tribute wall beginning at 11:00 am, Friday.

Interment will be in the Maple Hill Cemetery

Memorial contributions may be directed to her family for a fitting tribute to be decided at a later date.