Mary Crawmer

Mary M. Crawmer, of Madison Wisconsin passed away peacefully on February 17th at Oakwood University Woods Assisted Living at the age of 93 years.   She is survived by her loving husband and partner in life for 74 years, Jim Crawmer.

She is also survived by her children:  Debra (and Robert) Tribbey of Middleton, WI; James (and LaRae) Crawmer of St. Paul, MN; Gregory Crawmer of Janesville, WI; Diane Crawmer of Liberty Hill, TX; Gary (and Martha) Crawmer of Midland, MI;  and, Thomas (and Patricia) Crawmer of Middleton, WI.

Grandchildren: Jei (and McKenna) Crawmer; Maggi (and Sean) Hilger; Kristi (and Dick) Hansen;  Ben (and Rebecca) Crawmer;  Bea (Bethany) Crawmer;  Josh Crawmer;  Kerensa Trevaskis;  Ashley (and Jerrod) Jewell;  Andrea Whittaker.

Great Grandchildren: Savannah and Dickie Hansen; Justin and Jackson Jewell; Amanda, Breanna and Madison Schooley; Amber Sextro;  Lilianna Whittaker;  Ezekial, Portland, and Raylon Crawmer.   And Great-Great Grandchild:  Keelan Cassady.

Mary was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1929 to Gertrude Schwantes, moving to Madison Wisconsin with her mother and loving step-father, Morris Applebaum, when she was seven years old.  Mary Applebaum graduated at Madison’s Central High School in 1948.  She met her high school sweetheart, Jim Crawmer, as teenagers at Vilas Park beach where they both liked to go swimming.

Married in 1949, Mary lived with her husband, Jim, in the Westmoreland Neighborhood on Madison’s “far west-side” for 64 years where they raised their six children.  While raising her family, Mary worked as a receptionist at the downtown YMCA, and with Madison Newspapers delivering rural route newspapers “in the countryside” in her jeep.  In 1962 she joined the Gimbels Department Store at the brand-new Hilldale Mall working in a variety of roles.  Then, in 1977, Mary changed careers and began working as an administrative assistant with the U.S. Geological Survey, retiring in 1994.

Mary enjoyed sport activities of any type from high school on.  Always playing softball, volleyball, bowling, and any game her children, husband and friends enjoyed.   Bowling was a particular passion, and Mary had numerous awards for bowling perfect games.  After her retirement, Mary and her husband continued to enjoy hobbies of travel, camping, visiting friends throughout the states, playing games with her grandchildrern, and every minute spent with their beloved springer spaniel dog, Max.  Mary was also an avid photographer throughout her life.

In 2013, Mary and her husband, Jim, moved from their longtime home in Westmoreland to Oakwood University Woods senior living.  There she continued to enjoy all types of games, and activities with her children and grandchildren.  This included the game of billards or pool, which became her new game passion.  Mary was known as a happy energizer bunny to everyone.

Many thanks to Oakwood University Woods staff for their caring approach to senior life.  And to Agrace Hospice for all you do.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers donations made be given to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg, WI 53711 or Dane County Humane Society, 5132 Voges Road, Madison, WI 53718.