Ivan Curtis Crawford

Ivan Crawford, 72, of Hastings, IA, passed away on August 12, 2016 at his daughter's home in Bellevue, NE. As per his wishes, cremation will take place. A (family directed) Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, 2016, at the Hastings Community Building in Hastings, Iowa. Loess Hills Funeral Home of Malvern assisted the family with arrangements. Memorials, cards, plants and floral arrangements are directed to the Ivan Crawford Family, 511 Buffalo Ave, Hastings, Ia. 51540. Ivan Curtis Crawford, the oldest of five children of Wendell Albert and Etha Sophronia (King) Crawford, was born on November 12, 1943 in Hastings, Iowa. Ivan and the love of his life, Ethel May Berry, were married on September 8, 1962 in Auburn, Nebraska. Their marriage was blessed with four children, Carla, Rick, Rhonda, and Nikki. Ivan was an outdoors enthusiast and began his day with a morning walk about town. He spent every day during the warm months preparing and planting his extraordinary garden as well as the vast array of landscaped plants and flowers. His passion for working around the yard can be seen by all who drive by the house. He love...[more]

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o share his plentiful bounty with family and friends by canning and cooking for everyone. No one was allowed in the kitchen as Ivan prepared a feast. One of Ivan's oldest and dearest friend's grew up in Hastings as well, his best friend of over 65 years, John Brown, of Malvern. John and Ivan spoke on the phone almost every morning, a lifelong friendship tried and true. Ivan enjoyed many other outdoor activities such as riding bikes with his grown children as well as young grandchildren, hunting, fishing, boating and camping. Ivan was a well known storyteller who enjoyed pulling one over on grandkids and their friends. The word "Crawfordize" is now a well known expression among the Crawford Family used to describe an embellished story being told. Grandpa Crawford had a habit of "Crawfordizing" when he shared a story of fishing, riding bikes or other simple life events. Ivan knew no stranger, he enjoyed a good story, boisterous laughing and always quick to flash that great big smile. Ivan was a pillar of strength for his family, always ready to jump in to help out a family member in need. His love for his family was known by all who knew him and the feeling was returned tenfold. Ivan and Ethel made it a priority to always be there for their children, living by example, to always place family first in your life. Ivan was a unique soul with great character. He took his fashion cues from no one. His signature everyday look was all his. He loved wearing sunglasses, a cowboy hat, cowboy boots or sneakers. His obsession with jewelry was obvious from the moment you saw him. He was always "pimped" out in layers of chains, bracelets, rings on almost every finger, watches and earrings. Throw in a leather vest and there you have Ivan's one in a million style. Every day Ivan would grab up his best, 4-legged trusted friend, Snowball, and head out for a little drive. Dad would holler, "going for a toodle" which we all knew meant he was taking Snowball for a drive. Ivan passed away on August 12, 2016 at the home of his daughter Rhonda, surrounded by numerous family members and friends. Ivan is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Ethel Crawford of Hastings; mother Etha Crawford of Hastings; children, Carla Crawford Lawrence and husband Denny of Wall Lake, IA, Rick Crawford and wife Julie of Omaha, NE, Rhonda Mascarello and husband Tom of Bellevue, NE, and Nikki Dickerson and husband Jason of Shenandoah, IA; 13 grandchildren; 3 great grandchildren; siblings, Judy "Diane" Peterson and husband Jim of Iowa, Rodney Crawford of Omaha, Mike Crawford of Council Bluffs, IA, and Randy Crawford and wife Sherry of Silver City, IA; extended relatives; and a host of friends.