Vera Everhart Crane, 91, of Fedora, died Monday, June 5, 2017, at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Friday, June 9, at the First Lutheran Church in Artesian with burial in Mount Pleasant Cemetery at Artesian. Visitation will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. at the Artesian Community Center.
Vera Elizabeth Crane was born Dec. 26, 1925, on the family farm near Fedora to Harry and Nellie (Stanfield) O’Neal. She attended the O’Neal country school until it closed, and then attended Fedora School, graduating in 1944. Following high school, Vera worked at JC Penney and the Mitchell Music Store.
On March 11, 1946, she married George Everhart. They lived in Thomasville, N.C., for two-and-a-half years before moving back to a farm south of Artesian. They then moved to the O’Neal Homestead south of Fedora. Vera worked at the Larson Grocery Store in Fedora for 20 years. George died in December of 2000.
On Dec. 16, 2006, she married Kenneth Crane. They resided in Jordan, Minn., until Kenneth’s death in April of 2007, and then Vera moved back to Fedora. Vera was a member of the Fedora Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, was a member of the Beaver Extension Club, the Prairie People Crafts Association of Armour, served as clerk for the District 28 School Board, and was the Fedora News correspondent for the Miner County Pioneer and The Woonsocket News for many years.
Vera is survived by one son, Harry (Joyce) Everhart of Artesian; two step-sons, Don (Carrie) Crane of Luxemburg, Wis., and Larry Crane of Minn.; one sister, Nellie Faye (Norman) Pearson of Mitchell; six grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by both husbands; daughter, Genice Everhart; and brother, Wilbur O’Neal.
Arrangements are with the Bittner Funeral chapel in Mitchell.