Gilbert G. Crane

Gilbert “Gib” Gene Crane, age 83, of Neshkoro, passed away peacefully Thursday, November 17, 2022 at Juliette Manor in Berlin.

He was born March 19, 1939 in Reedsburg, the son of Bliss and Clara (Krey) Crane. He attended grade school in Neshkoro and graduated from Westfield High School in 1958. He served his country in the United States Army from 1962 until 1964.  He was a member of the Krause-Gley-Crane Legion Post 423 in Neshkoro and served as Chaplain for many years.   Gilbert lived in the family home in Neshkoro for 79 of his 83 years; and he was a faithful member of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Neshkoro.  He was employed at Speed Queen in Ripon for 38 years.  

Although he never married, he was a lifelong partner of nature.  He enjoyed growing roses and his summer garden and putting up his purple martin birdhouses every year, and would predict the date that the Neshkoro Mill Pond would freeze and thaw.   Gib had many friends from around Neshkoro and enjoyed taking road trips with them which sometimes ended at the casino.  He enjoyed gatherings with his family and friends, playing board and card games, and dining out. He will be deeply missed by his relatives and friends.

Survivors include two sisters, Audrey Knopp, Oshkosh, Barbara Lovett, Waukesha; one brother-in-law, Dennis Reetz, Neshkoro; two sisters-in-law: Maureen Crane, Neshkoro and Darlene Crane, Sun Prairie; his aunt, Ardell Albers, Reedsburg; nieces and nephews Keith Knopp (Shelly Scherer), Kathy (Ken) Lang, Vicki (Michael) Strieter, Debbie (Alan) Yerges, Melissa (Eric) Boettcher, Christiane Jahnke, Michael (April) Crane; great nieces and nephews, along with a great grandnephew. He is further survived by other relatives and friends, including special neighbors Jim and Tamara Meitner and Jeff and Terri Luedke.

Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents, Bliss and Clara Crane (Bryant); his stepfather, Rollo Bryant; one sister, Patsy Reetz; three brothers: Bliss Crane, Dean Crane, Adrian Crane; two brothers-in-law: Richard Knopp and David Lovett.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 3^rd from 9:30 to 11:30 am at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Neshkoro.  The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation, with Rev. John Bumgardner officiating. Burial with full military honors will be in Zion Lutheran Cemetery. A memorial will be established in Gilbert’s memory.