Mary Louise Maxwell Crain succumbed to a terminal illness on July 18, 2021 in Spearfish, South Dakota, at peace and at home, as she and her family wished. She was a few weeks shy of her 86th birthday. She died “a good death,” if that phrase could even hope to encompass the grief involved for such a much loved wife, mother, sister, grandma, great-grandma, aunt, great-aunt and friend.
Mary was Valedictorian at Fisk High School, class of 1954. She played on the varsity basketball team and was editor of the school newspaper. She is remembered for running barefoot and never losing a footrace during track and field events. She always helped her parents, Haskell and Erma Maxwell, at the Maxwell Station and store. She married Dan Crain, her high school sweetheart, in 1954 and was married for 66 years.
Her last days were spent looking out on her and her husband’s 10-acre ranch, including their pond, the pastures and the Black Hills. Immediate family members were present before her death and reminisced about their shared life with her, played music, danced, cried, and held a sacred space around her, as her spiritual journey continues. It’s the way she would have wanted it and we are humbled to be able to give her that. Even her people-skittish barn cats spent those last few days holding their own vigil outside, peeking in the windows at their resting “mom.”
Mary was survived by her husband, Dan Crain. Mary was preceded in death by her son, Dan Crain II, a well-known whitewater kayaking enthusiast and former owner of Global Market in both Spearfish and Rapid City. It was a comfort to us to hear her say that he was present with her during her last days.
Other surviving family members include brother, Jack Maxwell and sister, Linda Maxwell Adams; daughters, Teri Hastings, Erma Bond and Linda Bonner; grandchildren, Sara Bailey, Carly Le Duc and Paul Bonner; great-grandchildren, Dylan Bailey, Bella Bond, Nyla Bonner, Navee Le Duc, Ryan Le Duc and “Bear” Le Duc.
Her parents,and siblings, Joe Maxwell and LaVerne Maxwell Newton, preceded her in death.
A private family ceremony will be held immediately, with a more carefully thought out memorial planned for the future.