Laura Ann Ballenger Crone, 81

Laura Ann Ballenger Crone, beloved sister, mother, grandmother and aunt, went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 16, 2019, at Kootenai Medical Hospital in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Laura was born May 21, 1938, in Kalispell and was the second oldest of seven children to Henry E. and Eva Nowman Ballenger. She attended grade school at Rousselle School in the Lower Valley and graduated from Flathead High School in 1956, then attended Northwest University in Seattle.

While Laura was away at college, a handsome young man began attending the AG church youth group in Kalispell. When Laura returned home for her spring break, the young man took one look at her and began pursuing. She finally said “yes” and was joined in marriage to Lloyd Crone, Jr., on Aug. 29, 1958.

After her father’s untimely stroke in September 1959, Laura and Lloyd spent the fall on the Ballenger family farm, helping her mother and Laura’s oldest sibling, David, harvest the fall crop and plant the winter wheat. Laura drove the grain truck during that time while pregnant with son Mike.

In 1972, the family moved to Oldtown, Idaho, where Laura was a homemaker and worked as a part-time bookkeeper for Pulford’s Floral, until her youngest child, Gwendy, was nearly through school. She then worked full-time for a bank in Priest River and later worked for State Farm, retiring in 2004. After retirement, she started her own small business,Country Cottage Aprons Plus, making her own beautiful aprons, tablecloths, table runners, potholders, scarves, dish towels and many other craft items and participating in craft shows in the states of Idaho, Montana and Washington.

Through the years Laura was a spiritual mentor to many people. She loved the Lord and people could see and feel the joy of the Lord even from just one visit. She taught Sunday school and played the piano for the Newport Assembly of God Church for many years. Laura also co-taught marriage ministry classes with her late husband, Lloyd. She touched many lives and lived by example.

Laura loved to play the piano, sew, read books, eat chocolate and spend time with her family. With two sisters on the mission field, Laura and Lloyd went on multiple short-term mission trips to minister in Spain (the Canary Islands), Mexico and West Africa (Senegal and Togo).

In 2015, Laura went to Lome, Togo, West Africa, to be of help to her sister, Dr. Mary Ballenger, who was the President of the West African Advanced School of Theology. Laura stayed in Togo for the next four years, working as an assistant to Mary, not returning home for good until the end of 2018. It was hard for Laura to leave her African family, but she was very happy to be home with her family and catch up with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Laura was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd E. Crone, Jr.; her parents, Henry E. and Eva Nowman Ballenger; and two siblings, David S. Ballenger and Helen E. Ballenger Benes.

Laura is survived by two sons, Michael B. Crone (Rosalind) of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Daniel D. Crone (Karen) of Corvallis, Oregon; one daughter, Gwendolyn C. Marshall (Marquis) of Oldtown, Idaho; a foster daughter, Tina Sweeney of Newport, Washington; five grandchildren, Zebulin Barry (Lindsey) of Sparta, Tennessee; Jaisha Burk (Dave) of Spokane; Jessica Moore of Post Falls, Idaho; Zoe Crone of San Jose, California; and Elena Crone of Corvallis, Oregon; and three great-grandsons, Benjamin and Matthew Barry, and Caid Moore.

Laura is also survived by four sisters, Dr. Mary L. Ballenger, Betty B. Volin (Dr. Ray), Birdie C. Faris (Terry), all of Kalispell; and Bonita S. Thomas (Bruce) of Spokane; and several nieces and nephews who loved their Aunt Laura dearly.

Services were held Aug. 24, 2019, at the Pine Ridge Community Church in Newport, Washington. A graveside service and meal followed. Sherman-Knapp Funeral Home of Newport, Washington cared for the family.