Avis L Crawford

Rockwell Avis LaVonne Crawford, best mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend, died Thursday, January 22, 2009 at the Rockwell Community Nursing Home. She was a victim of Alzheimers disease. She was 83 years old. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM 8:00 PM on Monday, January 26, 2009 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. A private funeral service will be held for the family and inurnment will be at Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date.
Avis was born on July 9, 1925 in Des Moines, Iowa the daughter of Jesse and Twila (St. Peter) Field. She graduated from Mason City High School and worked for State Brand Creamery. On August 31, 1946, she married Robert R. Crawford and dedicated her life to being the wife of a career serviceman and mother to 6 children, making homes in Iowa, Maine, New Mexico, Ohio and California. After Bob died suddenly in California in 1969, Avis became a single parent. In 1970, she moved the kids back to Mason City, to be close to family and care for her ailing mother. She bought a house and made a good life for her children and eventually her grandchildren.
In memory of Bob, Avis joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #733. An active member of the Womens Auxiliary (Cooties), she was a diligent volunteer. She worked and played at the VFW and made many life long friends. Avis was always there for you. Support, advice, money, shelter, a shoulder whatever you needed, she gave. Over the years, she opened her home to family and friends and we all remember Friday night tacos, old peoples Christmas, staying overnight with grandma, weather cursed rummage sales and iced tea on the front porch. Thanks for everything Mom.
In 2005, failing health forced her to sell her house and move first to assisted living and then to the Rockwell Nursing Home. In the end, Alzheimers ravaged her mind and body but it couldnt take her spirit or sense of humor. She died the way she lived, with quiet dignity.
Left to honor her memory are her 6 children: Bob Crawford, Santa Ana, California, Jim Crawford, St. Paul, Minnesota, Linda (Cecil) Foell, Rockwell, Julie (Wayne) Woolley, Rochester, Minnesota, Laura (Kurt) Hudson, Indianola, and Jeff Crawford, Mason City. 14 grandchildren: David (Panom) Foell, Cathy (Mugs) Carmody, Brenda Pierce, Mike Foell, Jason Foell, Sarah (Greg) Hogan, Annie Crawford (Adam Robinson), Sam Crawford, Jessie (David) Froisland, Tyler Woolley, Dan Woolley, Noah Hudson, Ian Hudson and Jake Hudson; 13 great grandchildren: Aiden and Keegan Foell, Samantha, Gage and Gavin Carmody, Alex Vega, Cole and Sydney Pierce, Talon Froisland, Olivia and Grace Hogan, and Rachel Hudson. Well do our best to make you proud Mom.
Special people she leaves behind to miss her include Dixie and Ernie Hudson, Donnie and Lee Knutson and neighbors who became family, Dan and Carol Bohl. Waiting for her on the other side are beloved husband Bob, mother Twila, sister Mary Lou Munn and brother Howard (Sonny) Field. It makes saying good-bye bearable.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to suggest that memorials may be directed to the Rockwell Nursing Home, whose wonderful employees cared for our mom like she was theirs.