Violet V. Cranmer, 88

Beloved mother, grandmother, and friend Violet V. Cranmer, 88, passed away due to COVID-19 at Benefis Hospital in Great Falls on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020.

Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home. A celebration of her life and burial of ashes will take place in the Flathead Valley, alongside her beloved husband, at a later date when it’s safe to do so. Service details will follow at that time.

A longtime resident of the Kalispell area, Violet moved to Great Falls with her husband Jim in 2013 to be closer to family. She was a resident of Park Place in Great Falls for the past six years. Everyone who knew her loved her, and she will be so sadly missed. She was a hugger, and loved being around other people. She enjoyed doing jigsaw puzzles with her daughter Dora, bingo, crafts, and other activities at the nursing home, and was an accomplished crocheter for many years, making handmade gifts for family and friends.

Violet was born along with twin sister Viola, on Aug. 20, 1932, to Julious O. and Elsie B. Wilson near Leroy, Montana. She was the fifth of 10 children in her very large family, so she not only helped with the younger ones, but also helped her father in the fields and on the farm. Her formal education ended after eighth grade as she was needed at home.

She met the love of her life, James Cranmer, in Whitefish and married him May 18, 1950. They raised three daughters, and were together for nearly 67 years before he passed away in 2017.

Violet is survived by daughters, Dora (Steve) White of Great Falls, Grace (Charles) Crowder of LaGrange, Georgia, and Ruth Baker of Lincoln, Montana; sisters, Gloria Carter of Lakeside and Mary Potter of Glasgow; brother, Ivan (Elsie) Wilson, of Great Falls; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson; numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; sisters, Margaret Gorman, Katy Logan and Viola Wilson; brothers, Allen R. Wilson, Lowell Davis and Adam “Al” Christie; and granddaughter, Amanda Baker.

Condolences for the family may be shared online at www.SchniderFuneralHome.com.