| CRANE - Kelly Douglass Crane was born in Wetaskiwin, Alberta July 25, 1952. His father Jim worked in the oilfield at this time. Kelly spent his young life on the family farm and went to school at Coronation. His schooling was cut short by his Dad’s illness, and he helped run the farm from the time he was about 15. That was the year of a very cold and wet fall, and Kelly ran the grain dryer all over the area. He worked with Beubles at the theatre and drive-in and got his projectionists certificate. Kelly and Gary Heidecker started building motorcycles – trikes, racing bikes and Kelly built an old model Harley motorcycle from scratch – later trading it straight across for a brand new one. He liked skiing – the higher – the faster – the better, and especially back country heli-skiing. He drove truck, hauling cattle all over North America, drove taxi in Calgary, and worked in Fort McMurray driving big trucks. He took his Mechanics training at SAIT, fixing things was easy for him. He worked at Corvet Construction for a number of years, and at MR Autobody until his passing. He liked to cook (not great at clean-up though). From the time he was little, you could always find Kelly, usually either by his whistling, teasing, or arguing. He really liked it when everything was in an uproar – and he had caused it by teasing everyone to distraction – then you would hear his big booming laugh. He especially liked to tease his nephews and nieces, and they loved it as much as he did. Kelly and Daphne met in the late seventies. He and his family ran Coronation Car Care Center at that time and he was always helping her with locked-in car keys. Maybe he thought that was a little suspicious, but decided that since they were spending so much time together, they should start going out. They traveled all over on his 1200 Harley, including down to California and South Dakota. His patience really came in handy at that time since a quarter of the travel time was spent packing electric rollers, an electric blanket, Daphne’s newest boots from Cody, Wyoming with fireworks sticking out of them, and other necessities. Many people complimented him on his sweet nature: no wonder. Kelly had three major passions in his later life: trap shooting, computers, and the music business. Because of his extensive technical background, he was amazing at all of them. At trap-shooting competitions, he’d ace the targets and come home with prizes nearly every time. In the Stampede Grande at Calgary one year, he brought home three beautiful gold and silver buckles, some major crystal, and other trophies and cash. Turkey shoots provided Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner. Like everything he tried in life, he’d research it on his own by reading books or with help from experts and friends. Then, he’d just go ahead and do it! He was fearless. When he soloed for his pilot’s license, he had to stall the plane and let it spiral down to the earth. The instructor was green but Kelly was grinning. The French Rallye plane he and Ted owned was another of his passions. When Daphne first dragged Kelly to karaoke, he said, "Let’s get outta here!" A fairly typical reaction unless you like to sing or listen to others. But something evolved slowly. Daphne started working for Steve Van Hecke and Kelly was put in the position of sound technician and "roadie". He was the most qualified "roadie" you’d ever meet. He put together their own system with the best equipment they could afford and they took over Steve’s bookings when he moved away. It took a long time before Kelly would sing. Daphne bugged and bugged him, but he wouldn’t budge. One day she came home to find a strange disc laying out. Here, he’d been sneak singing! That was the end of the closet singer. He was a natural with a beautiful voice and from then on he was involved with every aspect of the show. He would even offer to go to other people’s karaoke shows, that was how much he loved it. Kelly was on ski patrol at Banff for a while and was probably the only qualified person to teach Daphne to ski. She was as stubborn about learning that as he had been about singing. He was so sweet, he let her stand behind him on his skis all the way down the hill until she could stand on her own. Even though he belonged on the expert hill, he’d always take time to ski the bunny hill with her first. Kelly was Daphne’s hero from the first time they met. From helping with vehicles and music to protecting her from the trials of life. He had a way of comforting her that no one else could copy. Kelly is survived by his life-mate Daphne Wadstien, his Mother, Edythe Crane, sisters & brothers – Terry (Carol) Crane, Linda Miller, Jo Ann (Danny) Sieger, Dale (Tanya) Crane. Nephew and Nieces Wayne and Jamie Crane, Dannielle, Koby, Jenna, and Chelsey Sieger, Austin Crane, and numerous cousins. Eva and Mel Wadstein family, and his lifelong friends Gary Heidecker and Ted Clark. Kelly was predeceased by his father Jim Crane. The family wants to thank Brennans Funeral Home for their care and understanding, Rev. Marvin Penfound for his kind words, Kelly and Daphne’s Karaoke family for music and songs and Carson Cole for recording them. Pat Doering for reading the eulogy, Henry Czarnota for looking after the video, Shirley McLarty, the UCW and church women for looking after lunch, and friends and family for their support during this difficult time. |