Barbara 'Joy' Schnitger Crane, 101

Barbara “Joy” Schnitger Crane, 101, passed away March 3, 2018, at The Retreat in Kalispell.

Joy was born Feb. 25, 1917, in Garden Grove, California, to Helen and Arthur Schnitger. She had a twin sister, Fern Lucille Schnitger Hines, and a brother, Arthur Wallace Schnitger. She grew up surrounded by orange, walnut and avocado groves in the Garden Grove area. Joy drove tractors, road graders and other farm equipment and took in strays, two- and four-legged. She was loved by all who met her.

She graduated from Garden Grove High School in 1935 and attended Fullerton Junior College, now Cal State-Fullerton. Joy married George Frederick Crane on Aug. 7, 1937.

They owned a bakery in Garden Grove from 1937 to 1952, and she retired from Knorr Beeswax Factory in Del Mar, California. They raised three children, Georgia, Barbara and Arthur. Joy was a devoted mother, serving as a Girl Scout leader, band parent and PTA president.

Joy was one of the founders of Garden Grove Historical Society, and the Schnitger family home is in the historical society.

In 2006 Joy uprooted her established life in Southern California and moved to Bigfork. She immersed herself into everything Bigfork has to offer and is an example of “The Joy of Living.”

Shortly after settling into her new home, her daughter and granddaughter presented her with her very own horse. At age 90 she led the trio to the trails on horseback to take in the scenery of her new surroundings. She also purchased an ATV to cruise her 9 acres, and at 92 bought a kayak. She enjoyed padding the lakes and rivers for several years.

One of her biggest adventures was glancing out her window to discover five grizzly bears in the horse pasture. Traps were set and after the bears were captured and sedated she was able to meet them, and of course turned it into a photo op.

Snowshoeing was another hobby Joy enjoyed in Bigfork. For her 100th birthday, she donned full leathers and went for a Harley ride, consequently picking up the nickname “Biker Joy.”

Joy is survived by her daughters, Georgia Crane Hensler and Barbara Crane Hunter, and son Arthur Crane; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 7, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Bigfork.