Obituary of Wanda Beverly Crane

“Mohkinakii” (Redheaded Woman)

October 25, 1963 – Dunville, Newfoundland

November 22, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

“We are born of love. Love is our Mother.”

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our deeply loved honey, mother, grandmother, sister, aunty, and friend Wanda Beverly Crane. Wanda was called home to be with her Creator God Almighty and Jesus Christ on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, in Calgary, AB, at the young age of 60 years old. She will be welcomed with open arms by her beloved son Michael Andrew, her mother Audrey, and her brother Lindy who she missed so much.

Wanda was a fierce mama bear and leaves behind to mourn large legacy of ten children, fourteen grandchildren, and numerous adopted children and grandchildren. As a mother, Wanda devoted her life to her family and did everything she could to ensure everyone was looked after and felt loved. Wanda shared a special and unique bond with every single one of her children and grandchildren and often showed this through unique nicknames for her babies such as: Girdy-gird, Little Gaffer, Deeder, Curly Sue, and numerous others along with countless special gestures of love. Wanda was a humble and proud woman who worked hard and did her best to support her children in sports, school, and everything they did; she was immensely proud of all her babies’ accomplishments. The love she shared with her children, grandchildren, her love Marvin Smith Big Plume Sr, and all her loved ones was her greatest legacy.

Wanda was a proud Blackfoot woman who was born in Newfoundland to another large family of eleven siblings. She grew up in Newfoundland, Siksika Nation, Calgary, and Tsuut’ina and proudly shared many stories from her younger days with her relatives on the Siksika Nation around her family’s ranch, her adventures playing sports and attending the Plains Indian Cultural Survival School (PICSS) along with many other adventures throughout her life. She will be remembered by her family for her selfless and nurturing nature, crazy humor, feistiness, wise advice and sayings, adventurous nature, faith in God and Creator, love of music, hardworking, huge heart for everyone, and so many other gifts that will live on in her family. Her love and humble impact on this world will live on for generations.

Wanda leaves behind to mourn, her lifelong love Marvin Big Plume Sr.; children, Amanda, Allyssa, Megan, Steven, Georgia (Drey), Carleigh (Darren), Clara (Joe), Smith (Savannah), Debra, and Trey; grandchildren, Michael Grant, Hailey, Leila, Tsisga, Lili-Belle, Leo, Clay, Cash, Gabriella, Noella, Kaia and Tahleana; special daughter-in-law, Kori-leigh Arcand; siblings, Bob Crane, Laurie Dubois, Garth Crane, Toni Good Eagle, Lenora and Earnest Pound Maker, Darlene Meguinis, Mark Crane, Sherida Crane, and David Crane; her beloved dogs, Duke, Tuffy, and Zaas; and her relatives and friends in the Siksika Nation, Tsuut’ina Nation, and Newfoundland. Wanda was predeceased by her baby boy Michael Crane; granddaughter, Adell Crowchild – Running Rabbit; parents, Audrey (nee Calfchild) and Leonard Crane; brother, Lindy Crane; grandparents, Earl Calf Child and Ann Mary Big Snake. We apologize for anyone we may have missed.

Wake Services will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. at the residence of Marvin Big Plume Sr, 2870 Wintergreen Road, Bragg Creek, AB. Wake Services will also be held on Sunday, November 26, 2023 at the Gordon Yellow Fly Memorial Arbour in Siksika Nation, AB.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, November 27, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. at the Gordon Yellow Fly Memorial Arbor. Graveside Service to follow at Paul Little Walker Cemetery (Siksika Nation, AB). A feast will be held at the Gordon Yellow Fly Memorial Arbor immediately following the graveside. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed at www.MHFH.com.

The family would like to express their thanks and gratitude to the medical staff at the Rockyview General Hospital ICU unit for their efforts and care for our Mom. Until we meet again.

In living memory of Wanda Crane, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Park Memorial, 5008 Elbow Drive SW, Calgary, AB T2S 2L5, Telephone: 403-243-8200.