Francis B. Crawford, 87, St. Cloud, formerly of Albert Lea, died Thursday, July 13, 2017, at Quiet Oaks Hospice House after a seven-year battle with bladder cancer and other health issues.
A memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, at the Country Manor Chapel in Sartell. Burial will take place at a later date. Visitation will be at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at the Country Manor Chapel.
Francis Crawford was born Oct. 7, 1929, to J. Seth and Bessie Crawford in Beaver Creek. He grew up on the family farm west of Beaver Creek. After graduation from Beaver Creek High School he attended Macalaster College in St. Paul and later transferred to the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. He graduated June 1954 with a degree in pharmacy.
On March 22, 1953, Francis married JoAnn Lowe. After he graduated from college, they moved to Albert Lea, where he worked at the Rexall Drug Store. In the early 1970s Francis served a term as mayor and later served on many boards. Francis was a grateful and faithful member of AA for 44 years.
Francis and JoAnn traveled to Arizona for 35 winters. They moved to St. Cloud in 1993 and on Jan. 1, 2017, they moved to assisted living in Country Manor in Sartell.
Francis is survived by his wife, JoAnn; a daughter, Julie Wiseman, St. Cloud; her children; Dr. Anthony (Emily) Wiseman, Houston, and Beth Wiseman, St. Cloud; his son, Dr. Francis Jr. (Josie) Crawford and their children, Seth, Kalli, Sofia and Josie Rose of St. Cloud; sisters-in-law Eleanor, Marlys and Orla; brother-in-law George Lowe; and many nieces and nephews.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Harold, Howard (Carolyn), James (Shirley) and John (June); brothers–in-law James, Martin and Leo Lowe and Robert Knudsen.
Memorials are preferred to the Quiet Oaks Hospice House or a charity of your choice.
Arrangements are with the Daniel Funeral Home in Sartell, www.danielfuneralhome.com.