Shirley Crane, 96 of Mott, ND, passed away peacefully at her home in Mott, ND with her family at her side on Sunday, January 19, 2020.

Mass of Christian Burial for Shirley will be held at 10:30 am MT on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott, with Fr. Stephen Folorunso officiating.  Per Shirley's wishes, cremation will take place after the funeral service and a private family burial will be held at a later date at Sunnyslope Cemetery in Mott.

Visitation will be from 1-6pm on Monday, January 27 ^th followed by a Rosary and Vigil Service at 6pm both at St. Vincent's Catholic Church in Mott.

Shirley Rosemunde Maercklein was born on September 27, 1923 to Otto Carl and Angela (Krebsbach) Maercklein in Dickinson, ND.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Crane, her parents and six siblings - Mercedes (Maercklein) Walsh; Bernice (Maercklein) Seitz; Spencer Maercklein; Otto Carl (Muggs) Maercklein, Jr.; infant Angela, and Dr. Wallace Maercklein. She was also preceded in death by  Charles' loving parents, Van and Georgia Crane and his siblings, Dorothy and Bruce.

She is survived by her seven children: Robert (Myra – deceased), Stephen (Jan – deceased), David (Peggy), Roderick (Cindy), Brian (Suzanne), Marsha Cowles (Kevin), and Alicia Voss; as well as 17 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchildren (with two on the way). She is also survived by several special nieces: Patty (Maercklein) Schwartz, Beatrice (Seitz) Bailey and Dorothy (Seitz) Acker, Carla (Maercklein) Schutt, Janice (Maercklein) Haines, Susan (Maercklein) Stockwell, Debra (Maercklein) Miller.  Many thanks from the Crane family to Patty (aka St. Patty of Mott) for all her support and love for Shirley over the years.

Shirley attended Mott High School, graduating in 1941. She obtained her nursing degree from St. Mary's University, Rochester, MN before returning home to Mott. She worked periodically at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck.

She met Charles Crane at a dance at Bannons Grove, east of Mott — the date being arranged at Charles' request by Shirley's older brother Muggs Maercklein. Shirley recalled that first date: "Truthfully, I wasn't that excited but soon realized what a wonderful man he was. I'm very grateful that we found each other." She married Charles on September 17, 1950. They were married for 64 years at his passing in 2014. Together they raised their seven children in the Maercklein family home in Mott that she grew up in.

She enjoyed an active social life in her wide circle of friends, playing bridge and enjoying parties with the Trousdales, Skroms, Mehrers, Biebers, Carvells, Bloedeaus, Diedes, Bohns, Huismans, Zichs, Gratzs Hankins and many others.

Shirley was an accomplished pianist and enjoyed playing for her family at home with a range of music from classical to sing-along tunes. She loved classical music of all kinds and the house was full of the sounds of Mozart, Schubert, Chopin, Beethoven and others.  She also taught herself to play the ukulele and sang songs like "Little Brown Jug" to delight of the kids.   Her musical tastes sometimes clashed with that of her husband, Charles, who preferred big band and Dixieland jazz, but they worked it out – meaning she played her music most of the time!  Shirley was a fourth-generation organist at St. Vincent's from the Maercklein/Krebsbach families and played for many Midnight Masses over the years. She was an avid bird watcher and loved Christmas. She was able to drive until her passing, particularly to her hairdresser appointments. After Shirley    renewed her driver's license in 2019 she said, "I will see you again in 4 years."

Shirley had a deep faith in Jesus, which fed a prayer life that often included up to six rosaries a day and offering up her suffering for the sake and salvation of others. She left us a legacy of extraordinary faith, love and grace that will be continued to be shared among her extended family, her numerous friends and the community that grew to know her and her kindness over the years. We will miss her greatly.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Mott Swimming Pool or the Mott Public Library.