Gloria Alice Crane, 94, passed away October 13, 2026 at Pawnee Valley Community Hospital, Larned.

She was born June 18, 1932 in Larned, the daughter of Ledru S. and Helen Barstow Umberger.

A lifetime area resident, she attended Pawnee County schools and later became a farm wife. She chartered the Kansas chapter of W.I.F.E. (Women in Farming Economics) and was the first president. She was also a member First Southern Baptist Church, Great Bend, D.A.R., and Larned Garden Club where she was the president and spearheaded the creation and installation of the rose garden near the Larned swimming pool. She was an accomplished pilot, enjoyed painting, gardening (both flower and vegetables), golfing, playing tennis, knitting, working the polls on election day, and playing Bridge. She loved a bedazzled shirt or jacket and was happiest at big family gatherings surrounded by family eating great food, playing games, and laughing. She was famous for her unique and delicious apple pie. Please enjoy her recipe below.

On May 27, 1949 she married A.G. Crane at Syracuse, Kansas; he preceded her in death on February 2, 2014.

Survivors include: two sons, Alan (Rosalind “Roz”) Crane, Larned; E. David (Janet) Crane, Lawrence; daughter-in-law, Kathie Case, Windom; six grandchildren, Shawn (Karen) Crane, Larned, Jessica (Josh) Connor, Lawrence, Zachary (LaTasha) Crane, Henderson, Nevada, Rachel (Edward Howard) Crane, Glendale, California, Clay (Becky) Crane, Medicine Lake, Minnesota, Natalie (Dane) Murray, Eudora; nine great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; son, Chris C. Crane; three sisters, Elaine (Albert) Vratil, Pauline (Dillon) Knupp, and Marilyn (David) Dryden.

Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2026 at Beckwith Mortuary Chapel, with Pastor Tim Singleton presiding. Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 20, 2026 in Point View Cemetery, Radium. Visitation will be 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday, October 19, 2026 at Beckwith Mortuary, Larned with family present from 5-6 p.m.

Memorials may be given to Salvation Army or the First Southern Baptist Church in care of Beckwith Mortuary, PO Box 477, Larned, Kansas 67550. Personal condolences may be left at www.beckwithmortuary.com.

GLORIA CRANE’S APPLE PIE

Crust 
Slightly less than 2 C. sifted flour (237 grams) 
1 tsp. salt
 ½ C. oil
 ¼ C. milk

Filling 
5-6 granny smith apples
lemon juice 
½ C. sugar 
1 tsp. cinnamon 
½ tsp. nutmeg 
3 Tbs. flour 
3 pats of butter 
extra sugar

Instructions

Sift salt with flour into small mixing bowl. Measure oil and milk together in a glass measuring cup and pour over sifted flour. Fold together gently until soft dough forms. Split dough in half and roll one half between two sheets of wax paper. Flip bottom dough into pie pan and press down slightly.

Recipe fits a 9” disposable pie pan perfectly. For a larger glass pie dish, make two batches. You will need about ¾ of a batch for each crust. Roll left over dough out and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, slice into strips and bake on a cookie sheet for 7-10 minutes at 350 degrees for yummy elephant ear treats to eat while you wait for your pie to bake!

Peel and thinly slice apples. A Johnny Appleseed peeler or Cuisinart work best to get nice thin slices. Mix in a squirt with lemon juice and set aside.

Mix sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour in a small bowl. Pour over sliced apples and mix. Fill pie crust with apples, arranging them so everything fits. Slice and dab three pats of butter on top of the apples. Roll second pie crust out. Slash top with knife a few times for air holes before flipping over to cover the apples. Press down the edges to seal in the juices and flute the edges. Sprinkle the top with sugar.

Bake in 350 degree oven for 45-60 minutes. Make sure to put aluminum foil or a sheet pan under the pie on the next rack in case juices bubble out. Check crust and cover edges if they are getting too dark. Cook until the apples are fork-tender but intact and not completely soft or mushy.

A 9” aluminum pie pan freezes great in a large Ziplock bag. If cooking from frozen, bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes first. You can watch an instructional video of Gloria’s granddaughter, Rachel, making this pie here: https://tinyurl.com/yey5acyx

ENJOY!