Bernice Crandon

Bernice Crandon, 99, of Gilman, died on Friday, June 21, 2024, at The Willows of Marshalltown.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, June 26, 2024, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Interment will follow at Prairie View Cemetery in Gilman.
The family will receive friends at a visitation held prior to the service beginning at 9:30 am at the Smith Funeral Home.
Memorials may be designated to the Gilman Fire and Rescue and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Bernice's family at www.smithfh.com.
Bernice Viola Medhus was born on January 6, 1925 on a farm in Tama County, Iowa to Omer and Marie (Ludlow) Medhus. At two months of age, the family moved to the Dwight Vosburg farm, which her parents purchased, ½ mile north of where she was born. She attended Highland #4 School a half mile south of where she was raised. She attended Gilman High School, where she participated in band, and graduated with the class of 1942. She was in a clarinet quartet that went to superior contest in St. Paul, MN and participated in 6 on 6 basketball.
She was united in marriage to Wilbur Arthur Crandon on July 11, 1942 at the Gilman Community Church. They made their home on the Crandon farm west of Gilman. As World War II progressed, Wilbur was drafted and served in the Navy. He was stationed in San Diego and Bernice moved with their daughter, Virginia, to be with him. He was transferred to Treasure Island and Bernice and Virginia went with him. When he served at sea, Bernice and Virginia came home to live with her parents. Wilbur was honorably discharged and returned home. In 1956, they built a house where they lived for many years.
Bernice was a member of the Gilman Community Church and she served on many committees. Bernice and her sister, Janice, played the organ and were in piano duets for church services for many years. She belonged to the women's guild and was in a gospel band named the "Basic's" (Brothers and Sisters in Christ). She was a member of the Order of Eastern Star, where she served as Grand Officer and Grand Representative to Alberta, Canada. She was a 4H member and 4H Leader to the Gilman Star Shiners for many years.
Bernice dearly loved being a farm wife, homemaker, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an avid gardener and took much pride in her lawn looking nice. She planted many flowers and enjoyed caring for them. One of her favorite things was teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to make lefse and kringla, a Norwegian family tradition she was very proud of. She always looked forward to family dinners. She enjoyed going to family sports, music, and dance events.
Her memory will be cherished by her children, Virginia (Gary) Paul of Gilman, and Arthur (Peggy) Crandon of Gilman; three grandchildren, Wesley (Sheila) Paul of Gilman, Kara (Chad) Goecke of Marshalltown, and Kami (Steve) Snider of Bondurant, IA; great-grandchildren, Holly (Skip) Thomas, Johnny Wilson, Molly Wilson, Natasha Schuchman, Colton (Molly) Paul, Macy, Clay, and Kyla Goecke, Ryan and Emma Snider; four great-great grandchildren, Taylor Thomas, Piper Wilson, and Vera and Nova Noellsch; and her sister, Janice Everts; and many nieces and nephews. In eternal life, she was reunited with her husband, Wilbur; her parents; and a granddaughter, Bambi Sue (Paul) Rosedale.