Edna N. Craves

Edna N. Craves, age 94, our beloved mother, grandmother and GiGi, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning, December 12, 2023 at Country Square AFC in Auburn. The daughter of the late William and Emma (Hewitt) Nelson, she was born on November 30, 1929 in Manistique, Michigan. Edna lived in the Upper Peninsula until the age of 11. She had fond memories of growing up on a silver fox farm, helping to raise the baby foxes with her brother and playing with all the boys because there were not many other girls. She of course became an accomplished skier and could remember having to ski to school due to the amount of snow. Edna's family then moved to Bay City where she has resided since. She graduated from Bay City Central High School where she played clarinet in the marching band, and then went on to Bay City Junior College where she was a member of the ski club and was voted Queen of her sorority. After raising her children, Edna went to work as an administrative secretary at Bay Arenac ISD, retiring after 12 years in 1992. She was a longtime member of All Saints Parish – Church of St. Boniface and she also enjoyed her family membership at the Elk's #88. Since 1953 Edna and her husband Jack were members of a potluck group with very dear friends. And they also spent many winters during retirement with the potluck group in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Edna was an excellent athlete and enjoyed skiing, golfing and gardening. She truly cherished the time spent with her family, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
On September 4, 1950 Edna was united in marriage to John A. "Jack" Craves and he preceded her in death on March 31, 2013. Together they built a full and happy life together and are both greatly missed by their four children, Jude (Michael) Kaunitz of Bay City, John W. (Debbie) Craves of Bay City, Chuck (Susan) Craves of Clarkston and Cathy (Marty) Priem of Pinconning; grandchildren, Ryan (Kristina) Craves, Aaron Craves (Nikki), Devin (Sara) Craves, Adia Craves (Kyle), Jenna (Tyler) Agnew and Jordan (Rachel) Priem; great grandchildren, Marlee, Madison, Reed, Bryson, Brielle, Rylan and Payton; dear family friend, Gary Bird; and several nieces and nephews. Edna was also preceded in death by her brother, William (Audrey) Nelson; and her brothers and sisters-in-law, Margaret (Willard "Ole") Jonsson, Eleanor Craves Niedzielski, Mary (Howard) St. Laurent, Kathryn (Franklin) VanDenBrooks, Robert (Edith) Craves and Bernard (Vivian) Craves.
The Craves family would like to express their sincere appreciation to everyone at Country Square AFC especially Heather, Judy, CJ, Mary Beth and Edna's roommate Shirley, to Michelle and Melissa Sylvester from Sylvester's Assisted Living, and everyone at McLaren Hospice for the extra special care and compassion given to Edna over these last several months. It will never be forgotten!
The Funeral Service will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 18, 2023 at Trahan Funeral Chapel with Fr. Dale Orlik presiding. Private interment will be at St. Patrick Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Monday from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be directed to Country Square AFC. For on-line sentiments: www.trahanfc.com