Glinda Carol Crawford

Glinda Crawford, 67, of Kirksville, Missouri passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, at home surrounded by her family.
Glinda was born on September 7, 1948 in Kirksville to Jack and Dorothy (Brenz) Bloskovich. She attended Kirksville Senior High School, graduating in 1966. On December 30, 1966, she married the love of her life, Richard Crawford, and to this union her favorite daughter, Melanie, was born.

After obtaining degrees at both Northeast Missouri State (now Truman) and Iowa State, she served on the faculty of the University of North Dakota from 1975 to 2005. In her early years at UND, Glinda was in charge of the Home Economics Education program. She served as national president of the American Vocational Association and was recognized as a Leader by the National Home Economics Association.
In 1994 she developed an Environmental Studies and Outreach program. Among her favorite classes to teach were Living Lightly on the Earth and Ecofeminism, which were highly popular with students.

Glinda was a favorite of her students and she often involved them in special projects. One of those projects resulted in the establishment of the Soaring Eagle Prairie on the UND campus. She was treasured by many as a mentor and friend, and her heart was always open to all who came her way.

She had a very creative spirit and wove beauty into every aspect of her world. She was an artist, quilter and gardener; Earth mother, mentor, and community builder. She deeply loved to restore native prairie and watch it thrive with grasses, butterflies, flowers, and other critters. The beauty of her work remains and she will be missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by her husband, Richard, her daughter, Melanie, son-in-law Dave Greene, and two step-grandchildren, Isabel and Calvin; her brother, Brian (Diane); the Crawford family brothers-in-law, John (Connie), Hollis (Deleta), Gerald (Connie); and numerous nieces and nephews.

As a memorial, in lieu of flowers, Glinda would want you to take a walk outside, feel the air, and connect with nature. She would urge you to look after the Monarch butterflies, plant milkweed and flowers, and protect their wild spaces. Donations may also be made to Hospice of Northeast Missouri to whom we are deeply grateful for their heartfelt care.

A celebration for her life will be held at 3:00PM, Sunday, January 17, preceded by visitation at 2:00PM. Both will be held at the Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home.