Leila H. Crane
1937 – 2024
Salina, Utah – Our sweet and loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, Una Leila Hampton Crane, passed from this life peacefully surrounded by her family at her home in Salina at the age of 86 on February 13, 2024.
Leila was born July 15, 1937, in Marysvale, Utah, a daughter of Charles and Una Christina Dorius Hampton. She was the youngest of 9 children, 8 girls and 1 boy. She married her sweetheart, Ronald Kenneth Crane March 5, 1955 in Redmond, Utah. They later we sealed for all time and eternity March 5, 1982 in the Provo LDS Temple. Together they were blessed with 4 children: Craig, Brent, Melanie and Russell.
Mom was lost when she lost her sweetheart, Ronald, June 4, 2004. She handled the trials she was given with grace. The hardest trials being losing 2 of her sons and her husband in a short 5 year period.
Leila was an active member of the LDS church. She served in many callings and enjoyed music. Her favorite calling was to be a pianist for the Utah Department of Correctional Facility prisoners in Gunnison. Mom loved “Going to Prison”.
Leila was an active member of the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers for many years. She enjoyed getting out and going to the senior citizen lunch which was known to us all as “Old Lady Lunch.” Leila enjoyed crocheting where she received many ribbons for her amazing talent. Mom loved learning her genealogy and the stories that came with her family history. While managing her family, she most recently could be recognized for her work at Barrett’s Food Town until her retirement in 1995. She was known for wearing festive and quirky earrings. She had a pair for every occasion.
Mom loved watching the Utah Jazz and the Colorado Rockies and rarely missed a game. She blessed others with an open heart, and her perpetual smile impacted many lives. She had an immense passion for her extended family and attended all their games and activities. She was and will always be their #1 Fan!
Mom loved HARD and unconditionally. She was vibrant and radiated light. She accepted everyone with an open heart, arms, and a warm smile. She had immense passion for her family and attending her grandchildren’s sports activities no matter the distance. Mom was hardworking, adventurous, and fun-loving, often exceeding the limits of what one might expect an 86-year-old to be able to do.
Mom occupied her time in service to others. Some people are genuine, and some are great listeners, Mom was both. She was the overlap in everyone’s circle. It was hard to gossip with her because she was everyone’s most excellent defender, and she truly loved you all. No one could ever feel judged. She wasn’t known to curse but never feared telling you a joke that would make you blush. “Have you ever seen a Yabbit?” She was a trickster who planned surprises and loved to watch your reaction.
Mom was a beautiful person inside and out. Her smile was so stunning, it would light up the whole room. She cared so deeply for the people around her. She was so kind and passionate. She made an impact on so many lives and treated everyone as if they are family. Many people knew her as “Grandma.” She will be forever missed. Mom was a living angel, and when she arrived, Angels stepped aside and made room because Mom still has some angel work to do. She made it clear that Goodbye was not an option, it was always “ Love ya, See ya.”
Leila is survived by her children: Brent L. Crane of Salina; Melanie and Justin Olsen of Gunnison; 22 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; a sister, Della Rae Peterson of Sandy. Her legacy will live on!
Her sweetheart Ronald and her sons Craig and Russell preceded her in death. Also preceded by a grandson, James Crane, and a granddaughter, Jenn Garcia.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 12 Noon in the Salina LDS Stake Center, 98 West 400 North in Salina, where friends may call for viewing Monday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. or Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services.
Live streaming of the services can be found at: www.springerturner.com under Leila’s obituary about 15 minutes prior to starting time.
Burial will be in the Salina Pioneer Cemetery under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.
Online guest book at: www.springerturner.com
