Larry W Craven

Larry W Craven was born August 12, 1940 in Hazard, NE; the youngest of seven children to William and Asenath Craven. He was raised in central Nebraska and graduated from Wood River High School in 1958. 

He relocated to Anaheim, CA and began working for Northwestern Bell when he received his Army draft notice. Just before his enlistment, he was introduced to Gloria Bailey, who quickly became the love of his life. They were married in 1963, shortly before his deployment to Panama. Larry proudly served as a lineman for the US Army Telephone Exchange for two years and was honorably discharged in 1965, returning to his bride in California.

They started a family in 1967 and soon decided to return to his Nebraska roots. After a brief move to Rushville, NE, the Cravens settled in Grand Island, where they raised three children. Larry retired from Quest Communications in 2002 and he and Gloria spent many years learning and later teaching dance. 

He was active in his church, Faith United Methodist which became First Faith United Methodist. Some of Larry’s greatest joy came from traveling and dancing with Gloria and he was most proud of the family they built together including Heather, Brookly and Darin Craven, their spouses, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

Honoring his wishes, there will be no formal services but we invite friends and family to send contributions to St Croix Hospice in Larry’s memory: Hospice Support Foundation 1175 Centre Pointe Circle Mendota Heights, MN 55120