Margaret Crawford

MARGARET CRAWFORD

Cedar Rapids

Peggy (Margaret A. Clapsaddle) passed away Friday, Feb. 5, 2016, in her home, surrounded by her loving family. A memorial service will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the church.The Rev. Randi Henderson will officiate at the service. Interment will be at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.

Peggy was born Sept. 28, 1921, to Lura Ferguson and Roy L. Clapsaddle on the family farm in Grundy County, Iowa.

She was blessed with a loving home, talented siblings, a childhood spent outdoors in the open expanses of rural Iowa, and a lifestyle that fostered the self-reliance that served her throughout her life. The family continues to own the farm, which is approaching century status.

In 1939, Peggy graduated from Conrad Consolidated School, where she played baritone horn in the concert and marching bands. She attended Iowa State University for a year, then moved to Cedar Rapids and graduated from Cedar Rapids Business College. She later took courses at Coe College. She worked at Perpetual Savings and Loan and then as a legal secretary for many years.

She married James W. Crawford in 1949 at the United Methodist Church in Conrad. To this union five children were born, all of whom survive.

After her children were grown, Peggy enjoyed working for Kelly Services for a few years. A highlight of her adult life was attending a summer program at the University of Iowa Writers Workshop.

Peggy is survived by her sister, Lois Nelson; her children, Laurie Crawford, Barbara (Phil) Christian, Jan Crawford, Bruce Crawford and David Crawford, all of whom reside in Cedar Rapids, except David (Superior, Colo.). Also surviving is a stepson, J. Allen Carley of Chicago.

Peggy has seven grandchildren, all of whom survive: Laurel (Gary) Grant, Andrew (Becky) Taylor, Daniel (Laura) Taylor, all of Cedar Rapids, Kara Callahan (Ben Johns) of Seattle and Shane Callahan of Tampa and Tyler Crawford and Lindsey Crawford, both of Cedar Rapids. Four great-grandchildren also survive: Larissa Johnson-Taylor, Cameron Taylor, Braydon Taylor and James Taylor. Four special nephews and a beloved niece survive as well.

Peggy was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jack L. Clapsaddle; and her husband, Jim.

She was active at Westminster Presbyterian Church for as long as her health allowed. During her 60 years with the church, she was a Sunday school teacher, deacon, elder and newsletter editor. Peggy volunteered as a Bluebird and Cub Scout leader at Erskine School. She volunteered at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, Linn County Food Bank, Loaves and Fishes and St. Luke's Hospital. Mercy Medical Center benefited from more than 1,000 hours of Peggy's volunteer contributions. Peggy also generously supported the non-profit efforts of her younger son, David.

She was a member of PEO Chapter II, Questers, Red Hatters, Friends of the Library and several bridge groups. She was blessed with a number of dear friends.

There were many things she enjoyed throughout her life, especially the times with her family. She loved to travel and visited many countries and islands. She loved to garden, read, bird watch, bake and play bridge. She also enjoyed investing, which she did until shortly before her death. In earlier years, she enjoyed sewing, quilting, modeling and various crafts.

Her family and friends will remember her as a devoted mother and grandmother, a steadfast friend and a woman of principle, character, loyalty, wit, will, intelligence and curiosity.

The family is grateful to Hospice of Mercy for its compassionate attention to Peggy's end-of-life needs.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Animal Help Now (www.ahnow.org), 2525 E4-705, Boulder, CO 80302; or to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1285 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403.

Online condolences may be left at www.cedarmemorial.com under obituaries.