Nona Carroll Crawford

Nona Carroll Crawford (Shaw), 77, of Eagan, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on November 27, 2024, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Born on December 15, 1946, in Harrisburg, Illinois, to Francis and Virginia (Adell) Shaw, Nona spent her early years in Rosiclare, Illinois, with her brother, Harold. The family later moved to the Cochise/Willcox area in Arizona, and then to Glenrock, Wyoming, where Nona attended high school and forged deep, lasting friendships. She later moved to Eagan, Minnesota, where she graduated from secretarial school and began her career at Sperry Univac.

Nona began working for "Doc" Halladay, managing the office of his trailer company. It was there she found happiness again with her husband, Robert Crawford. Together, they became owners of Trailers Plus and RTC Enterprises, finding joy in their shared work.

Nona was an avid reader, always eager to share new authors and series with anyone seeking a recommendation. Her favorite genres included detective, fantasy novels, and mysteries. Nona was a collector of strays from cats and kids. Nona was a fierce advocate for the neighborhood kids, and many had lived in the Crawford home from time to time. These same children, now adults, continued to visit her for decades, they would be hard-pressed to get out without a pop, meal or a snack as mom would not let anyone leave until they were fed or had a beverage.

Nona's grandchildren were her pride and joy. She delighted in spoiling them, famously declaring, "There are no rules when you're at Grandma's house." She enjoying sharing her love of books, movies and Harry Potter with all the grandkids. She also made it a point to buy her grandchildren their first phones, so they always had a way to reach "Grandma Nona or Papa Bob" for help, a ride, money, or just to talk.

One of Nona's favorite pastimes was sitting on her front porch during the summer, greeting every passing dog by name and occasionally chatting with their owners. She was content to just get a tail wag or kisses from her canine companions. Nona also enjoyed her nightly ritual with Bob, watching the news and especially the weather. She would often call family members with severe weather warnings.

Bob and Nona's enduring love was evident if you ever saw their nightly ritual of a sweet goodnight kiss and "I love you" as one trounced off to bed. It had been this way every evening for the last 41 years.

Nona was preceded in death by her parents, Francis and Virginia Shaw; her sister, Jackie Shaw; her grandson, Jagger Kiser; her nephew, Damien Shaw, and her recently deceased brother, Harold (Hal) Shaw.

She is survived by her husband, Robert Crawford; her children, Jacquie (William) Willaby and Kenneth Chadwick Kiser; her grandchildren, Kyla (Adam) Rahn and Brody Kiser; and her great-grandchildren, Calvin and Benson Rahn.

We will be having a Celebration of Life for Nona

Friday, August 15, 2025

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Blackhawk Park in Eagan Mn.

The park is located off Deerwood Drive on Murphy Pkwy.

Light refreshments will be served.