Dorothy Jean Crawford

Dorothy Jean Fickel Crawford departed this life on January 5, 2017 in Fort Worth, TX after a lengthy and heroic battle with a very serious illness.

Dorothy was born on September 23, 1940 in Jefferson County, IA to Alfred Earl and Mary Helen (Billingsley) Fickel. She married Melvin (Pete) Crawford on July 23, 1961 in Indianola, IA.

Survivors include her husband Melvin (Pete), her daughter Janet (Brent) Dunbar (Gatesville, TX), her son David (Julie) Crawford (Fort Worth, TX), and six grandchildren; Jessie Dunbar, Wyatt Dunbar, Kiki Crawford, Sparky Crawford, Spencer Crawford and Mitchell Crawford.

Survivors also include her sister Marilyn Korseberg (Washburn, WI), sisters-in-law; Shirley Fickel Hoag (Muscatine, IA) and Esther Fickel (Washington, IA) and brother-in-law; Larry Ranard (Ottumwa, IA), nieces and nephews; Herbert (Vicki) Fickel (Milan, IL), Gifford (Estella) Fickel (Peoria, IL), Monna (Marv) Ohme (Rockford, IL), Wesley (Sue) Ranard (Newton, IA), Marlis (Gale) Gilbert (Ankeny, IA), Christine (Tom) Gaber (Washburn, WI) and many other relatives.

She was predeceased by her parents, Earl and Helen Fickel, brothers; Robert Fickel and Donald Fickel and sisters; Lola Belle Ranard and Mary Sue Fickel.

Her early schooling was at Libertyville, IA Grade School and Washington Grade School in Fairfield, IA. She graduated from Fairfield High School in 1957. She graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in 1961.

She was active in 4-H in Jefferson County, IA with animal projects, food, clothing and home projects including state fair demonstrations and conferences. She was also active with the youth group in the Fairfield Methodist Church.

After graduation from Iowa State Teachers College, Dorothy taught elementary school for four years in Ames, IA, one year in Cheektowaga, NY and then, after her two children, Janet and David, finished elementary school, she taught 21 years in Spring I.S.D., Houston, TX.

Dorothy was an active member of the Klein, TX Volunteer Fire Department for over 33 years. She was a dispatcher for several years and later was elected and served as the Secretary of the Administrative Board for 20 years until her health deteriorated to the point she was unable to serve in that capacity. Dorothy is a Life Member of the Klein Volunteer Fire Department.

Services for Dorothy will be: Visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Behner Funeral Home Fairfield, IA on Thursday, Jan. 12th. Visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 pm followed by a celebration of her life at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 13th at Behner Funeral Home with Pastor Alan Mullikin officiating. Burial taking place at the Pleasant Plain Friends Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Klein Volunteer Fire Department, Spring I.S.D. Education Foundation or Spring Woods United Methodist Church all of which are in the Houston, TX area. Condolences may be sent directly to Melvin Crawford at dpcrawford@att.net or 5327 Premier Court, Fort Worth, TX 76132, or left on the Behner Funeral Home website, behnerfh.com.