Lola Jean Cruff

Lola Jean Richardson was born in Selma on February 5, 1927 to Jack and
Ada Richardson. She died peacefully on October 1, 2025 with family by
her side. Lola was blessed with a wonderful life of 98 years.
Lola grew up in Selma and attended Selma schools. In her early years
she attended Walnut School on McCall and Parlier Ave and always
talked about how she and her sister Lavene had to walk to school all
the way from their home on Dinuba Ave., over two miles each way!
Lola graduated from Selma High School in 1944 and then went to
Fresno State and Fresno Technical School.

She then moved to Los Angeles to be near her mom and sister.
While Lola was in Los Angeles she worked at the Wilshire Country Club
where she was eager to say she "rubbed elbows" with many Hollywood
stars. She eventually moved back to Selma and began working at PG&E.
Lola married Kenneth Cruff, whom she met at Selma High, on June 26,
1948. They started farming with Kenny's family and had three children: Terry, Janet, and Larry.

Lola also worked at various places such as Selma First Baptist Church
and the Selma and Fowler Justice courts. She was a devoted housewife
and mother while helping out Kenny with the farm bookkeeping
throughout the years. Lola was a great cook and party hostess since
she would never know when Kenny would bring his friends home
unannounced! Lots of fun and laughter were enjoyed with their many
friends during these times. She was known for her great pie crusts,
potato salad, and her special taco sauce just to name a few.

Later in life, Lola and Kenny loved to travel with many friends, spend
time at their cabin in Camp Sierra, take the barge out on Shaver Lake,
spend time at their Shell Beach house, and they both loved to golf!
Lola was also active in various organizations such as Eastern Star,
American Legion Auxiliary, Bethel Guild, First Baptist Church, and the Ladies of the Oriental Shrine.

After Kenny passed away in 1996, Lola continued spending time at Shell
Beach, traveling with the First Baptist Senior group, and loved going to the casino with friends.
In 2014, Lola moved from the ranch on Manning Ave. to the Bethel
Lutheran Home Village where she enjoyed her last 11 years.
Lola was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Cruff, sister
Lavene (Wayne) Smith, sister-in-law Dorothy (Ralph) Smith, and son-in- law Richard Gordon Wilkin.

Lola is survived by her three children, Terry Wilkin, Janet (Bob) Kelpe,
and Larry (Sharon) Cruff. Her ten grandchildren, Gordon (Becca) Wilkin,
Matthew Wilkin, Brian Wilkin, Lindsey (Erik) Hall, Dustin (MyThu)
Linton, Brittany (TJ) Koonce, Brooke Acosta (Fiance Michael Bustillos),
Kelli (Byron) Woods, Lisa (Austin) Davis, Katrina Cruff, and 21 great grandchildren.

A special thank you to her very special caregivers Mary and Valerie who
took such great care of her recently!
We will miss Lola's witty comments, laughter, and her gift of gab.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to your favorite charity.

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