Betty Kay Crandall
August 26, 1952 ~ May 27, 2026
Betty Crandall, 73, of Ocheyedan, IA, went peacefully to her eternal home with Jesus Christ her Savior on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD.
Celebration of Life service will begin at 11:00am on Saturday, June 6, 2026, followed by fellowship reception at Tabernacle Baptist Church in George, IA. You may watch the livestream of the service via YouTube by clicking HERE.
Betty Kay McQuown was born on August 26, 1952, in Estherville, IA, to Leland and Jeanette (Koostra) McQuown. She was the 5th of 10 children. Betty split her time growing up between the family farm near Wallingford, IA and Koostra farm near Ocheyedan, IA with her aunts Bea and Theresa Koostra. She attended Christian school in Ocheyedan through 8th grade. Betty graduated from Graettinger High School in 1970. She continued her education at Pillsbury Baptist Bible College in Owatonna, MN.
During her time at college, Betty met the love of her life Gary Crandall. They were united in marriage on June 29, 1974. They shared a faithful journey of almost 52 years together. They lived in various places including Owatonna, MN, Minneapolis, MN, Charlotte, NC, and Ocheyedan, IA. They had 3 beloved daughters and 7 grandchildren.
Throughout her life Betty had various jobs caring for others as a teacher, daycare provider, church secretary, nursing home cook and multiple positions with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
Betty expressed her love through cooking, baking, and visiting with neighbors, friends and family. Betty loved being a mom and grandma. She enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s activities. Throughout her life Betty was involved in church, Bible studies, VBS, Sunday school teacher, American Legion Auxiliary, KJIA radio station and supporting various missions/missionaries.
Betty enjoyed gardening, flowers, canning and thrift store shopping with her sisters and sister-in-law. She loved worship music, singing and playing the piano. She had a beautiful soprano voice and the best laugh. Her smile could light up a room.
Betty loved and trusted in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She remained faithful while struggling with multiple health challenges throughout her life. Her prayer was that others would know Jesus and join her in heaven one day. It is comforting knowing Betty is loving being with her heavenly grandbabies. At the end of her life, she prayed for her family including grandchildren and future generations. Her favorite hymn was “It Is Well with My Soul.” She told us, “It is well with my soul, and I’m ready to go home to heaven.”
Betty is survived by her husband, Gary Crandall; daughters, Caroline (Jonathan) Feldkamp, Kim (Bryan) Weiss, Nicole (Joe) Wilschek; six grandsons, Logan, Levi (Ellie), Lucas, Landon and Lincoln Feldkamp, and Charlie Weiss; one granddaughter, Kaitlyn (Trevor) Gurrola; siblings, Lois Blair, sister-in-law, Judy McQuown, Jim (Nancy) McQuown, Judy Clarke, Nancy (Myron) Brenner, Connie (Don) Lavender, Peggy (Kevin) Lorch, Marjie McHale, Kathy Travis, and sister-in-law, Karen (Jimmy) Lombard; and many nieces and nephews.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents, Leland and Jeanette McQuown; beloved aunts, Bea and Theresa Koostra; brother, Gary McQuown and brothers-in-law, Bill Blair, Maurice Becker, Jay Clarke, and Art McHale.
“It is well with my soul”
~Romans 8:28; 38-39
I cry thinking I won’t see Betty again, then in my foolishness I realize OF COURSE I WILL!! We are all getting closer to that glorious Day when we will be delivered from these earthly tents of flesh. No more sickness, no more pain, no more worldly disappointments.
On our last heartbeat we will be in the presence of He Who gave His life a ransom for us.
Gary, let’s stay close on the phone and on Facebook. We love you and are and will be bringing before our Lord Jesus for strength in the coming days, weeks and years.
Grief has no predetermined expiration date. Stay close to those who love you.
We will see you soon as we’ll be leaving Michigan Friday morning.
Thankyou Don, we share many memories and tears over the years. I have cried too! I know I have an ocean full of tears to cry. I know where she is. She is with Jesus NOW! At one point she exclaimed “Praise Jesus, Praise Jesus, Praise Jesus” as loud as she could. She then started repeating it is well with my soul, it is well with my soul, it is well with My soul God!
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was such a sweet person and always came by to talk when you didn’t know you really needed someone. She would always have great stories to share. She will be missed by everyone.
I will miss her so much
We have so many good memories. Lots of talks & sharing. I rejoice with her home going which she longed for.
Dear, sweet Betty! She had the BEST smile and the BEST laugh! So many great memories from VBS and other church shenanigans, fun drives, heartfelt conversations, and a hilariously fun day of shopping. Our phone calls were long because long is what it took to update me on each kid and grandkid. Betty was the sweetest soul and I know she is at rest and peace with Jesus. Praying for your family during this time.
I am thankful for our shared years at Grace Church, Sanborn. Though she was often suffering, I fondly remember the times I caught glimpses of the vivacious woman she was. More than that, I am so thankful to have witnessed her courage. Over the last several years as I reflected on our time together in Sanborn, I came to realize that she was much braver than she gave herself credit for being and, indeed, that she was one of the most courageous people I have ever known. She was truly a good and faithful servant of the Most High and I am proud to have called her my friend.