Laura Ann Crone
Laura Ann Crone went home to be with the Lord on August 16, 2019, at the Kootenai Medical Hospital in Coeur d’Alene, ID.
She was born May 21, 1938, in Kalispell, MT as the 2nd oldest of 7 children to Henry and Eva Ballenger. She attended the Rousselle Grade School in the Lower Valley and graduated from Flathead High School in 1956 and then attended Northwest College in Seattle.
While she was at college, a new young man started coming to youth group in Kalispell and Laura’s sisters said he was “dreamy”. When she came home for break, the young man took one look at her and began pursuing. She finally said “yes” and was joined in marriage to Lloyd Crone on Aug. 29, 1958.
In 1972, the family moved to Oldtown where Laura was a homemaker and worked as a part-time bookkeeper for Pulford’s Floral, until her youngest was almost out of school. She then worked full-time for a bank in Priest River and later worked for State Farm, retiring in 2004. After retirement, she started her own small business, Country Cottage Aprons Plus, making her own aprons, potholders, scarfs, dish rags and many other craft items, participating in craft shows around Idaho, Montana and Washington.
Through the years Laura was a spiritual mentor to many people. She loved the Lord and people could see and feel the joy of the Lord even from just one visit. She taught Sunday school and played piano for the Newport Assembly of God church for many years; also, co-taught marriage ministry classes with her late husband, Lloyd. She touched many lives and lived by example.
Laura loved to play the piano, sew, read books, eat chocolate and spend time with her family. With two sisters on the mission field, Laura and Lloyd went on multiple short-term mission trips to help in Spain, Mexico and West Africa (Senegal and Togo). In 2015, Laura went to Lomé, Togo, West Africa to help her sister, Mary, who was the President of the West African Advanced School of Theology. She proceeded to stay for the next 4 years, working with Mary as her assistant, not returning home for good until the end of 2018. It was hard for her to leave her African family but was very happy to be home with her family.
Laura was proceeded in death by her parents, two siblings and husband, Lloyd E. Crone Jr.
Laura is survived by two sons, Michael B. Crone (Rosalind) of Bonners Ferry, ID and Daniel D. Crone (Karen) of Corvalis, OR; daughter, Gwendolyn C. Marshall (Marquis) of Oldtown, ID and foster daughter, Tina Sweeney of Newport, WA; five grandchildren Zebulin Barry (Lindsey) of Sparta, TN, Jaisha Burk (Dave) of Spokane, WA, Jessica Moore of Post Falls, ID, Zoe Crone of San Jose, CA, and Elena Crone of Corvalis, OR; three great-grandsons, Benjamin and Matthew Barry and Caid Moore.
The service will be held Saturday, August 24 at 11 a.m. at the Pine Ridge Community Church in Newport, followed by a graveside service and meal. Sherman-Campbell Funeral and Cremation Services in Priest River, ID is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at shermancampbell.com
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