Beverly Ann Cranwell

Beverly Ann Cranwell was born Nov. 9, 1944, in Imperial, Nebraska. She was the third child of Kenny and Margie Covert Cranwell. She died Jan. 21, 2022, after a lengthy battle with illness.
She was raised a half mile north of Lamar, and lived beside the Miner family, who were lifelong friends. Bev attended school in Lamar and Imperial, and Holyoke for one year, graduating from Imperial High School.
While attending high school in Holyoke, she met the love of her life, Lee Struckmeyer. She soaped up his car windows, and he made her wash them. They then went to the late movie on Halloween for their first date.
On June 23, 1963, Lee and Bev were married in a double ceremony with Bev’s brother Gene marrying Lee’s sister Julie. The wedding was held at the Holyoke Methodist Church. Both families went on to have three boys and one girl. Years later a big family trip was planned with all 12 family members traveling to Florida to visit Disney World and the beach. The vacation was enjoyed by all, except Del, who was too little to remember it.
Bev enjoyed being a room mother for all four of her kids when they were in elementary school, and she liked to read to all the kids until she fell asleep. She also helped with Bible school at the Wages Church and was a 4-H and FFA mom, helping and guiding her kids and many others as well. She was a sponsor of several FFA trips, but no one is quite sure who was sponsoring her!
Lee and Bev were honored in 2015 with the Friends of 4-H Award and honorary Chapter and State Farmers for FFA. She was also a giver and made many buckets of hot chocolate mix to give as gifts over the years and to sell at the school concession stands. Bev was also known for the huge meals she made for family dinners and to feed farm helpers or anyone who happened to stop by, and the coffee was always on.
In 2019 she and Lee were honored as Phillips County Fair parade grand marshals. She absolutely loved throwing candy from the tractor as they went through the parade.
Bev was always busy doing something, whether it be at home or helping others — driving a tractor for the neighbors, hosting plenty of baby or bridal showers, or watching her grandchildren, to name a few. Bev’s birthday was also a very special day for her as she shared the day with her nephew, Craig, and her great-granddaughter, Ryen.
She always loved a good joke — maybe a naughty one from time to time — and never knew a stranger. Talking was always her favorite pastime.
Bev is survived by her husband of 58 years, Lee; daughter Cindy and Richard, Cindy’s son Darren and wife Lexi and their daughters Ryen and Haylie (Bev’s great-granddaughters), and Cindy’s daughter Shannon, all of Sterling; son, Damon and wife Pam of Holyoke, their daughter Mariah and husband Wyatt of La Junta, son Sidney and Lauren of Kansas, and son Baylor of Holyoke; son Kipp and wife Summer and their daughters Leah and Amy, all of Holyoke; son Del and wife Jennifer of Holyoke and their sons Brandon of Arizona and Austen and Amber of Holyoke; brother Gary Cranwell and Vonnie; sister-in-law Julie Koch, who she referred to as Love, and Duane; brother-in-law Larry and Lois; and several nieces and nephews.
Bev was preceded in death by her parents and parents-in-law; brother, Gene Cranwell; daughter-in-law, Melinda Struckmeyer; son-in-law, Doug Stewart; and grandson, Westyn Struckmeyer.
Visitation will be held Friday, Jan. 28, 1-5 p.m. at Baucke Funeral Home in Holyoke.
Her services will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, at 10 a.m. at the Holyoke Methodist Church, with Paul Brunner officiating. Burial will be at Holyoke Cemetery immediately following her services.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memorial Giving, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Baucke Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.