Dee was born on August 20, 1936 in Denver, Colorado and moved to Grand Junction in 1952. She graduated from Grand Junction High School and received her teaching degree from Texas Lutheran College in Seguin, Texas and her Master’s Degree from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado.
Dee was a well-known and admired retired elementary school teacher and principal for 48 years in School District 51, her last position being Principal of Taylor Elementary School in Palisade, Colorado for 36 of those years. After retiring, she was a substitute teacher and volunteer at Taylor for 10 more years.
Dee was a servant in the best sense of the word. Her life was spent making others a better version of themselves. She was a cowgirl at heart who was most comfortable in a pair of jeans. The Grand Mesa was her little slice of heaven and she knew it like the back of her hand. All animals knew they were safe on her property and used it as their personal playground, much to Dee’s delight. Teaching children was her absolute joy.
She is survived by her sister, Carole Kniffy Hamilton and her husband Larry; and nephew, John McConnaughey and great niece, Nakayla McConnaughey, of Morehead City, North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Crane; her mother, Olive Kniffen; and step-father, Charles Kniffen.
The family would like to thank her loyal friend, Irene Binggeli, and faithful caregiver, Mari Wozniak, for their continuous devotion to her care.
A celebration of life event will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made in her name to Roice-Hurst Humane Society, P.O. Box 4040, Grand Junction, CO 81502.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18