Carol June Schaeffer Crance, 92, of Mobridge, SD died peacefully on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, in Mobridge Community Hospital following a stroke.

A celebration of her life will take place at First Baptist Church in Mobridge at 2 PM, Saturday, July 13, 2024.  Following the service, interment at Timber Lake Cemetery at 3:30 PM MT.  Visitation will be at 6 PM Friday with a prayer service at 7 PM at the church.

Carol was born December 1, 1931 at home in Mosher, SD to Arvid and Bessie (Berry) Schaeffer along with her twin sister, Carmen.  Prior to moving to Timber Lake, she attended Schaeffer School for 3 years.  She completed her education in Timber Lake ~ graduating in 1950.

She married Adrian Lowell Crance on October 10, 1950 at the First Baptist Church in Timber Lake.  While Adrian was in the service in Korea, Carol lived on his family’s farm west of Timber Lake.  She received her teaching certificate after attending 2 summer sessions at Black Hills State College in Spearfish (1950 & 1951).  She taught at Little Oak country school near Timber Lake and years later did some substitute teaching at the Hutterite Colony near Redfield, SD.  After Adrian was discharge from the service, Carol stayed at home raising their 5 children – Janice, Adrian, Jr., Roy, Dale and Julie.  They moved throughout SD following construction work.

In 1978, Carol re-entered the work force as a nursing assistant in Sturgis Nursing Home, Hospice and then as private home health aide.  She retired again in 2010 and moved back to Timber Lake in 2012.  She resided in the Manor there and worked part-time for the Head Start Program until moving for a final time to Prairie Sunset Village in Mobridge, in 2017.

Carol’s life was her family, friends and her strong faith.  She was a wonderful grandma and great-grandma – always remember to send cards for birthdays and special life events.  She was an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary for many years.  Her church family was always very dear to her.  She was an avid walker, reader, puzzler, Scrabble player and she enjoyed sewing.

Carol is survived by her 3 sons – Adrian (Julie) of Spokane, WA; Roy (Ann) of Timber Lake and Dale (Patty) of Phoenix, AZ; and her daughter – Julie (Mike) of Brookings, SD; 15 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.  Also, survived by her siblings:  Ruth Madsen of Eugene, OR; twin, Carmen Dolan of Seattle, WA; and twin sisters, Dixie Garr of Belle Fourche and Deanna Munsch of Aberdeen.

She was proceeded in death by her parents, husband – Adrian L. Crance, daughter – Janice Hanson, infant granddaughter – Cassandra Crance;  brothers – Lawrence, Paul and Roger and sisters – Irene Winterberg, Cecelia Hieb, and Mary Imberi.

In lieu of flowers, family is requesting that any donations be made to First Baptist Church, Mobridge, SD – 512 N. Main St. E, Mobridge, SD 57601.

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