Finella Jean Crawford

Finella (McLean) Crawford, 80 passed away peacefully on Friday, August 4, 2006 at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis surrounded by her loving family. Funeral Services for Finella will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. at the Westminister Presbyterian Church, Devils Lake with Pastor Kevin Kaufman officiating. Visitation will be at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. A private family burial service will be held at the Devils Lake Cemetery. The daughter of William and Margaret (Doar) McLean, Finella was born on December 23, 1925, in Sarles, North Dakota. She was raised and educated in Sarles and graduated from Sarles High School in 1943 and then married her high school sweetheart, Jack Crawford, on November 4, 1944 in San Diego, CA. Following Jack’s honorable discharge from the Navy, the couple moved to Grand Forks where Finella attended business college while Jack enrolled at UND. In 1948, Finella and Jack moved to Devils Lake where they built the first of several homes. She and Jack established several successful businesses as they owned Suburban Sales, Dodge Towne, Inc., and the Devils Lake Chrysler Center. Finella served as an officer in all of their businesses and played a vital role in the development of each endeavor. In 1991, Finella and Jack retired from the automotive industry as their son, Hal, purchased the business. Prior to their retirement, and with Finella’s architectural vision, they designed and built seven town homes, one of which they retired to. For many years, Finella was a Cadet and Senior Girl Scout leader in the Pine to Prairie Girl Scout Council. She was active in the Lake Region Skating Club during her children’s years of participation where she lent her creativity in designing and making skating outfits. She was an exceptional seamstress creating anything from costumes for performances to formal wear for prom. Finella was a behind the scenes creative thinker whether it was a business venture, home construction development, or advising her children. She was an avid bird watcher with a bird reference book and binoculars always in close proximity. She loved her flower garden at home and her plant beds at the lake, and she enjoyed the challenge of growing rose bushes so as to place a rose or two in a vase inside her home. Roses symbolized the infinite love that she shared with Jack. He died on December 15, 2004. Finella enjoyed traveling to warm climates where she could smell the ocean, walk the beaches, and watch the sun rise and set as she and Jack spent time in Hawaii and Texas while other trips included visits to New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. Searching for her roots, she also traveled to Bothy Hills, Scotland, the home where her father was born. Finella enjoyed serving as the First Mate of their vessel, the “Bonnie Jean”, as she and Jack traveled down the Mississippi, navigated Lake Superior, and cruised about Devils Lake where they spent time at their lake cabin. Finella was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and the Elks Lodge. She was a deeply devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and her untimely passing leaves an emptiness in all those she touched. Finella is survived by Daughters: Deborah Sanderson, Minnetrista, MN; Babs Brenner and her husband, Terry, Grand Forks, ND Son: Hal Crawford and his wife, Patty, Devils Lake Brother: Gordon McLean, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas Grandchildren: Nick and Calvin Crawford; Mallory and Meghan Sanderson Brother-in-law: Robert (Carol) Crawford, Fargo, ND Sisters-in-law: Helen Crawford, Fargo, ND Delores McLean, Mesa, AZ Lillian Teske, Electric City, WA Several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Jack, her husband of 60 years; daughter, Paula; her parents, and brothers Percy McLean and Lyle McLean.