Jean Elaine Crane

Jean Elaine (Rhodes) Crane, 101, of Scottsbluff, NE passed away on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, with her family by her side. Her memorial service will be 11am Monday, March 4, 2024, at The Vine Methodist Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor Craig Collins officiating. Services will be live streamed to The Vine Methodist Church website. There will be no visitation as cremation has taken place at Jean’s request. The family encourages casual attire and Husker gear will be welcomed. The family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Laramie Peak Fire Zone Foundation, 1836 Cottonwood Park Road, Wheatland, WY 82202. Online condolences may be made by viewing Jean’s memorial book at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.

Jean was born to A.J. “Jack” & Lillian (DeVry) Rhodes in Omaha on August 5, 1922. She was raised in Omaha, graduated Benson High School and attended the University of Chicago, where she was affiliated with the Phi Delta Upsilon Sorority.

In June of 1941 Jean married her childhood sweetheart, Charles H. (Chuck) Crane in San Francisco, CA where he was stationed with the U.S. Army. Two children were born to them, Charles, Jr. (Hank), and Judith Ann. In 1948 the family moved from Omaha to Scottsbluff. Jean was active with the YMCA, Campfire Girls, Cub Scouts, Longfellow PTA and served on the Scottsbluff Safety Council under Mayor Clark Williams.

During WWII, while Chuck was in the service, Jean worked as a telephone operator for the Bell System near the army bases where Chuck was stationed. In the 1960’s Jean was employed by Dr. W.O. Brown at the laboratory of West Nebraska General Hospital, now Regional West Medical Center, and later worked as Chuck’s secretary in the wholesale plumbing and heating industry. She retired in the 1990’s.

Jean and Chuck loved spending time with friends at their cabin near Laramie Peak in Wyoming. They especially enjoyed country western dancing at Hubbard’s Mountain Cupboard near the cabin and were active in the Harris Park community. Chuck was a wildland firefighter and Jean served as secretary to the Laramie Peak Fire Zone Foundation.

Jean loved her family and cheered for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren in all their sports and activities. She was a great fan of the Huskers, Broncos and Wyoming Cowboys.

Preceding Jean in death were her parents; Chuck, her husband of 69 years; son Hank; sister Barbara Anderson; and brother William J. Rhodes.

Jean is survived by her daughter Judi Farlow; daughter in law Judy Crane; grandchildren Suzanne Crane of Scottsbluff, Beth Clemens of Scottsbluff, Jeff Crane (Shannon) of Gering; Jack Paetow (Sarah) of Morrill and Katie Camacho (Chris) of Scottsbluff; great grandchildren Ellison Paetow, Ty Paetow, Morgan Paetow, Keishah Edwards, Lilly Ann Crane, Brooke Crane, Alex Crane, Eric Crane, Zach Clemens, Andrew Clemens, Addison Clemens, and Trey Clemens; 3 great-great grandchildren; sister Betty Kalber and sister-in-law Dorothy Rhodes.