Cheri Crane, 92, tap danced her way to heaven to sing with the angels on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. She was born Nov. 15, 1930, in Aitkin County, the second of five girls. She grew up in the Kimberly and McGregor area. She will be fondly remembered as such a sweet lady with a beautiful smile and graciousness, politeness and kindness that we should all aspire to have in our lifetime. Her love of family, sunshine, flowers, dance and music were a constant in her life. Her God-given talent in singing and dancing plus her outgoing personality made people refer to her as the Shirley Temple of Aitkin County. She lived and worked in Minnesota and Alaska for much of her adult life. After retiring, she returned to the McGregor area to be closer to her family. She spent her winters in Alamo, Texas, where she enjoyed the sunshine and new friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Theron "Mama Jo" Sears; sisters Carmen Bonneville and Marsha Bland; first husband, James Boelter; and the love of her life, husband Ralph Crane.

She is survived by her children, Jane (David) Vranish, of Aitkin, Judy Hutar (Jimmy Turek) of Spring Lake Park, Jeff Boelter (Kim Ruben) of McGregor, and Jeri Anderson (Tony Rinta) of McGregor; sisters Darla (Jack) Gould of McGregor and Holly L'Amour of Bentonville, Arkansas; sister-in-law, Dorothy Ekelund of McGregor; grandchildren, Julie, Jill, Joy, Jacy, Jady, Joshua, Jason, Jazzie, Jackie, Jeana and Jayna; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends who will also miss her dearly.

Cheri's service will be held on Dec. 29 at Grace Lutheran Church (Big Sandy) in McGregor.

Visitation: 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Celebration of Life. Lunch will follow. Burial will be held in the spring at Fort Snelling. Arrangements entrusted to Atkins Northland Funeral Home, 801 14th St., Cloquet.

Memorials to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation are preferred.