CRAWFORD, Winona F. (1930-2021)

CRAWFORD

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 7/6/2022 at 10:18:45

Winona Fern Crawford
(July 16, 1930- January 3, 2021)

Private family services for Winona Crawford, 90, who passed away Sunday, January 3, 2021, at home, will be held Monday, January 11, 2021. Friends may join the Livestream on Winona’s obituary page of Overton Funeral Home’s website beginning at 2 p.m. Public burial will follow services in the Norwood Cemetery, Lucas County, IA. Winona was the middle child of 9 children born to David and Lillian (Houck) Jones. She was born at home in Van Wert, Iowa.
While growing up on the family farm in Van Wert, Iowa, Winona, along with her brothers and sisters, was very active in 4-H showing cattle and earning many awards doing so. Winona achieved the honor of having the Grand Champion Baby Beef, appropriately named Model, at the Iowa State Fair in 1949.
Winona was also very active in basketball and softball, along with her sisters, Wynette and Wanda. Winona could play several positions in softball, playing first base, second base, and outfield. She almost always hit a double. These three sisters were recognized in the Osceola newspaper as they played for Peret's Diamondettes in an article entitled, "Three Reasons -- All Related -- Why Osceola Won." She also played basketball until she was almost 50.
Winona attended the Van Wert Assembly of God Church as a teenager, and graduated from Van Wert High School in 1947. After graduation, she went to work at Meredith Corporation in Des Moines.
On May 24, 1958, Winona Jones was united in marriage to John Crawford from Norwood, Iowa in Lucas County. They were married at the Van Wert Assembly of God Church. They first lived in Des Moines, then moved to Norwood, where they were blessed with two daughters, Sandra Kay and Cathy Jo. During this time they attended the Norwood Assembly of God Church. Winona helped with the family farm and also maintained the Norwood Consolidated School property.
Around 1970, the family moved to Indianola, where they became very active in the Indianola First Assembly of God Church. With Winona's absolute love for children, she contributed countless hours of volunteer work in the church nursery and lots of free babysitting in her home over her years there. While living in Indianola, she worked at the Indianola Community Schools. She later went back to work at Meredith Corporation and it's subsidiaries. Winona had a sharp mind and loved working puzzles. She also liked watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and mystery shows. Always a big sports fan, she liked watching the Kansas City Chiefs and the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Winona is survived by her daughters, Sandra Whitfield and Cathy Morris; grandchildren, Cherri Whitfield, Tiffany Whitfield, and John Morris II; great grandchildren, Wren William and Juniper Jo; brother, Wendell (Charlotte) Jones; sisters, Wanda Jones, Willene (Lawrie) Arthur, Kay (Bob) Kent; sister-in-law Viola Jones; and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John Crawford; parents, David and Lillian Jones; brothers, Warren, David, and Walter Jones; sister, Wynette Van Dyke; brother-in-law, Glen Van Dyke; son-in-law John Morris; and several other special relatives.
Public visitation will be held on Monday prior to services from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the Indianola First Assembly of God Church or Balance Autism, Clive, IA. This memorial is provided by Overton Funeral Home, 501 West Ashland Ave., Indianola, Iowa, http://www.overtonfuneral.com/