Nancy Carrel Wendler Crane was born on June 3, 1942, in Newark, New Jersey, to William John Wendler and Eulalie Carrel Wendler. She grew up in Pittsfield, Illinois, where she attended East School, Higbee Jr. High, and Pittsfield High School.

From an early age, Nancy had a love for creating things and bringing people together. As a young woman, she was a 4-H blue-ribbon winner for her yeast rolls and pies—an early glimpse of the talent she would carry throughout her life as an exceptional cook and baker.

After marrying, Nancy moved to Alton, Illinois, where she began what would become a remarkable career in real estate in 1968. For more than 50 years, she was a well-known and highly respected top realtor in the Alton-Godfrey area. She was deeply involved in her profession and served as a member of the Alton-River Board of Realtors, becoming president in 1980. Her dedication and service earned her the Homer Adams Realtor Citizenship Award as well as the YWCA Women of Distinction Award.

On May 24, 1980, Nancy married the love of her life, Gary Crane. Together, Nancy and Gary shared a life filled with family, friendship, travel, service, and countless wonderful memories. They were active in charitable events in their community, including hosting the Easter Seals Society Ball.

Nancy had an adventurous spirit and loved to travel. She visited all 50 states, traveled to Europe several times, and enjoyed more than 20 cruises. She loved boating and spending time with the people she loved most. She was also an excellent cook and baker, known especially for her delicious peach cobbler and her famous caramel pecan yeast rolls.

One of Nancy’s happiest places was their cottage in Chautauqua, Illinois, where she spent many summers making memories with family and friends. Those summers at the cottage held a special place in her heart and became treasured memories for generations of her family.

Nancy was a member of Community Christian Church in Alton, where her faith and community were important parts of her life.

Nancy will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Gary Crane; her son, Steve Franklin of Las Vegas, Nevada; her daughter, Cathy Franklin Wulfenstein of St. George, Utah; and her son, Mark Crane and his wife, Gosia, of Germany.

She was a beloved grandmother to Brittany (Chris) Jacoby, Amy (Mark) Carter, Katie (Beau) Condie, Bradley (Lindsey) Wulfenstein, Augustin Crane, and Natalia Crane.

Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Olive Jacoby, Poppy Jacoby, Townes Jacoby, Finnegan Jacoby, Gracie Carter, Ellie Carter, Marlie Carter, Salem Wulfenstein, and Cooper Wulfenstein.

Nancy’s greatest accomplishments were not found in awards or titles, but in the love she gave to her family, the friendships she cultivated, and the many lives she touched throughout her remarkable life. She will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, sense of adventure, love of family, delicious cooking, and the joy she brought wherever she went.

Her memory will live on in the hearts of her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and all who were fortunate enough to know and love her.