Barbara Carol Crawford

Barbara was born in Elmhurst, Illinois, and during her early years her family moved to northern Minnesota. She often shared fond memories of growing up on the family farm – ice skating on the pond beside their farmhouse, singing with her sisters while washing dishes, and milking cows together. The appreciation for simple joys and laughter was something she carried with her throughout her life.

Barbara graduated from high school in Aitkin, Minnesota, and went on to earn a teaching degree from St. Cloud State College. She began her career in an elementary school in Alexandria, Minnesota and after a few years, she embraced a new adventure which led her and a group of friends to Orange County, California, where she continued teaching, and during the summer months worked at the Los Angeles Angels stadium in Anaheim.

While living in California, Barbara met and married Charles A. Glazner, a U.S. Navy officer. Together they built a life that included moves to Japan, Texas, and eventually Colorado Springs, where they settled in 1973. Charles passed away in May 1976.

Through friends at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, Barbara later met Lewis A. “Lewie” Crawford, and they were married on July 11, 1981. Barbara appreciated Lewie’s adventurous lifestyle and jumped right in! Their marriage was a true partnership, with a shared curiosity, a zest for life and love. Together they skied, hiked, backpacked, fished, and camped in their trailer throughout the United States and Canada, being especially fond of the Southwest region. Their shared love of travel also took them to all seven continents. Barbara’s cooking and baking were legendary, and many friends and family fondly recall time spent visiting in their welcoming home.

Music was central to her life and Barbara was a devoted member of First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs, where she sang in the choir for 35 years. She also held season tickets to the Colorado Springs Symphony for decades.

Barbara will be remembered for her warmth, grace, grit, and integrity; those who knew her felt welcomed and valued.

Barbara is survived by her siblings Patricia Goehrs (Hal), Judith Kinstad (Wes), Janice Edstrom (the late Tom), and Nancy Sersen (Timothy); her daughters Margaret Glazner, Sara Baese (Philip), Ann Sanders (Keith), and Margaret Quintana (Robbie); and her grandchildren Spencer and Lauren Baese, Aaron Sanders, and Brook Quintana.

A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Colorado Springs on April 18, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. and her inurnment will be at the FUMC Columbarium. Memorial donations may be made to the FUMC Music and Arts Department and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic.