Dana Joy Crawford (pronounced Dan-ah), 85, left this world peacefully at the Washington County Hospital and Clinics in Washington, IA on October 29, 2026.

Dana was born on November 21, 1940 in Morning Sun, Iowa, and attended school in Yarmouth until grade six. She graduated from Washington High School in 1959. Dana graduated from the Iowa Teacher’s College, now UNI, in 1963.

Dana was a school teacher and librarian at schools in Marshalltown, Brooklyn, & Fort Madison. After retiring from teaching, Dana came back to Washington to live with and help her mother in their home on South Iowa Avenue. During this time she also worked at Pamida, where she reported being “hired on the spot”.

For Dana, the upkeep of the home her parents were first to purchase, was of the upmost importance. She maintained the property with great care independently for more than 45 years. Attention to her many flowers, especially the variety of Irises, as well as the annual planting of marigolds and a single red geranium in the front was impressive to all her neighbors and many who passed by.

When Dana was young she attended the Methodist church in Morning Sun, and later in life, occasionally at the Methodist church in Washington. Dana fondly remembers watching basketball games with her grandmother, and attending many family reunions. She was an avid reader of the Sunday paper, and really preferred the time when it was delivered on Sunday. Dana was also dedicated to genealogy research. Her family roots hail from Sweden and she enjoyed correspondence with distant relatives from there and maintained a long-running membership with the Swedish Heritage Museum in Swedesburg, IA.

Dana was a private and independent person; a force of nature that truly impressed those that had the privilege to know her. Her neighbor and writer of this obituary is one, and he knows of some others including her hairdresser with their standing Tuesday appointment, her long-time financial advisor, the friendships with her Meals on Wheels coordinator, the Halcyon House care team, as well friends in a card club. Sharing memories together, and connecting those not mentioned that are also impressed by Dana’s life, at her service, is desired.

Services are pending, and Dana’s wish to be cremated and laid-to-rest with her mother will be fulfilled. The Jones & Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at www.jonesfh.com.

Dana was preceded in death by her parents, Harry Melvin Crawford and Vera L Schurbon Crawford.