Betty Jane Crane

Betty Jane (Supol) Crane 94 of East Jordan, formerly Grand Rapids, passed away on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at home.

She was born at McLaren Hospital in Flint, Michigan on March 5, 1931. Her parents, Paul and Bessie Supol raised her on Wolcott St. where she enjoyed the company of countless children on the block. Her parents were of Czech heritage and raised her to speak Czech as well as English. The family gatherings of her Czech relatives were a frequent event in her life, and she remained in contact with those relatives her whole life.

She met her future husband, Jack Crane, while in high school at Flint Central. After graduation they were married at Court Street Methodist Church in Flint on June 10, 1950. With limited finances they purchased a newly built house on Stevenson St. in Flint, and they welcomed their first child Mark on June 30, 1952. Son Jeff and daughter Pam followed in 1953 and 1954, respectively.

Betty was a stay-at-home mom until her children were old enough to be more independent. She worked for Citizens Bank at the Longway Branch in Flint for 16 years until it was time to enjoy retirement with Jack.

She and Jack were open to adventure and their trips included a cross-country motorcycle trip along with exotic golf outings. They retired to southern Florida in the 1990’s to enjoy many rounds of golf and the warm weather. Two family trips stand out in Jack and Betty’s life. In 1963 they loaded the family station wagon for a trip to Disneyland and the western National Parks. 1990 found them on a dream trip in Breckenridge Colorado with all their children and grandchildren complete with white water rafting and trail horse rides in the Rockies.

Betty and Jack were lifelong Wolverine fans and moved back from Florida to the Ann Arbor area in 2002. Jack, along with daughter Pam, passed away in 2004 and Betty moved to Grand Rapids under the guidance of son Mark and his wife Debbie. She lived her final years there. She cherished the life God gave her and spoke often of wanting to reunite with her husband upon her passing.

Betty is survived by her sons, Mark (Debbie) Crane of East Grand Rapids, and Jeff (Jodie) Crane of East Jordan; grandchildren, Greg (Kim) Crane, Lindsey (Chris) Riker, Andrea (Daniel) Moll, Tanner Crane, Stacy (Brendan) McCracken, and Jon Frederick; great grandchildren, Everett and Bo Crane, Mia and Will Riker, Parker and Kyla Moll, and Colin and Keegan McCracken.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 54 years, Jack; and her daughter, Pam Frederick.

Betty will be interred at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Owosso sometime in the Spring of 2026.

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