Greta Crawley

VERONA - Greta Jane Crawley, age 90, of Verona, passed away on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Meriter Hospital, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on November 22, 1934, in Madison, the daughter of Gerhard and Martha (Singler) Greve.

Greta graduated from Madison East High in 1953. She married William Crawley on Dec. 30, 1954, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Madison, Wis. Greta “The Shoe Lady” worked as a prosthetic/orthotic assistant (fitting orthotics and artificial limbs) for VA Hospital, often working with amputees. While employed with the VA, Greta received the heart and hands award, which honors employees “who consistently does the most to exercise professional expertise and provide emotional support, help and guidance to veterans through direct patient care above and beyond the call of duty.” Greta hung up her tools with the VA after more than 40 years of service to her patients.

Greta was a fun-loving mother, sister, aunt and grandmother. Greta took great pleasure helping those that were less fortunate than herself. She volunteered abroad helping children with disabilities or doing relief work around the world. She was very active throughout her life, whether it be playing outside with her kids and grandkids, playing cards with card club, volleyball on a Wednesday night in the backyard, horseback riding out west or just having lunch with the girls. She was a boxer, volleyball player and cheerleader in high school, a cub scout den mother for her sons and loved to travel the world with her friends.

Greta will be dearly missed by her grandchildren, Chris (Theresa) Crawley, Patty (Rob) Brown, Chase Callan , Ashley (Jeff) Holewinski, Anthony Crawley, Ryan (Maranda) Crawley and Tyler (Nikki) Crawley; great-grandchildren, Will (Rachell), Dillin, Brooklynn (Shay), Bree (Landen), Devin, Destiny, Tyler, AJ, Riley, Sylas, Remmington and Killan; two brothers, Gary "Sonny" Greve and Ken "Butch" (Sam) Greve; and daughter-in-law, Rita Crawley. She was preceded in death by her husband, William; two sons, Jeff Crawley and Jon Crawley; grandson, Jeffery Crawley Jr.; great-grandson, Jonathan Brown; parents, Gerhard and Martha Greve; and sister-in-law, Noreen “Pete” Greve.

A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, 2025, with the Rev. Connie Matye presiding. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, July 5, 2025. A private family luncheon to follow.

The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the nurses on Meriter’s 9th floor surgical unit and all family and friends that helped care for her in her final weeks.

In lieu of flowers, house plants would be appreciated. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420