Lisa Ann Crum

September 21, 1954 – April 30, 2016

Lisa Ann Crum, born September 21, 1954, to Charles and Mary Lou Schenck, graced heaven with her presence April 30, 2016 after a short battle with cancer which she fought with positivity, prayer, love, and faith. She passed comfortably at home with peace and God in her heart, mind, and soul. She was surrounded by her husband and children.

Lisa was born and raised in Moses Lake. She loved living in a small town and all the comforts that come with it. Her favorite childhood past times were family camping trips, being an active member of Camp Fire, escaping to another place by reading a book, and helping her mom in the kitchen and on the farm. She graduated from Moses Lake High School in 1973. She returned to school later, earning her AA from Big Bend Community College in 2002.

Lisa dedicated much of her adult life to early childhood education. She began working for Head Start in 1980 as an assistant teacher. She worked her way to lead teacher and ended her career as Preschool Manager and Disabilities Coordinator just days before her passing. She sought to instill a love of learning in every child she met. Children were drawn to her and the admiration was mutual. She never felt as if working with children was work, but rather a privilege.

Nothing was more important to Lisa than spending time with her family. She and Steve spent much of their free time camping and “chasing shiny objects.” This entailed having a general direction or destination in mind with no plan or agenda. She loved to go camping for New Year’s Eve. They would find a mountain road and drive up until the snow allowed them to go no further. They would park and set up camp. They were always off on some adventure or another. Lisa and Sara were attached at the hip. They were best friends in the way only a mother and daughter can be. They did everything together: farmer’s market, grocery shopping, cook, wander, play, vacation, everything. Jeremiah brought the excitement and laughter to her life. He was always playing pranks on her. Her favorite was when he changed all the light bulbs in her house to colored ones. She saved the colored ones and used them for her front porch light. Lisa’s main purpose in life was to be a grandma and she did it to perfection. Nothing made her happier than seeing her grandkids smile and hearing them laugh. When she was with them, all you heard was laughter. Adrian, Carly, and Viviani are blessed to have had her in their lives and now to hold her in their hearts.

Lisa made it her mission to keep everyone connected. Lisa was the common thread that held it all together. Everyone looked forward to receiving their annual birthday and anniversary cards from her. She sent them to everyone from her aunt and uncle to her great nieces and nephews. She was adored by her entire family.

Lisa is preceded in death by her mother Mary Lou Schenck; father Charles Schenck; grandmother Helen Knapp; brother Steven Schenck; and loyal companions Duffy and Belle.

She is survived by her loving husband Steven Crum; daughter, Sara (Mario) Guaderrama of Moses Lake; stepson, Jeremiah (Misty) Crum of Moses Lake; sister, Nancy Schenck (Jerry Carpenter) of Moses Lake; grandchildren Adrian Guaderrama, Viviani Guaderrama and Carly Crum along with a large loving family and many, many friends.

Lisa found beauty in everything. She loved the outdoors and sought to be one with nature. Lisa will be cremated. Her ashes will be scattered in one of her favorite camping areas in a private family ceremony this fall, her favorite season. Lisa wanted to give back to Mother Nature the way it has given to her.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Potholes State Park beginning at 11 a.m. Please contact Sara for more information.

Lisa didn’t like that flowers had to die to make a bouquet. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Family Services of Grant County Head Start in her memory. Donations will be used to purchase books for local Head Start classrooms. Each book will honor her by holding her name within its cover. Donations can be sent to: Family Services of Grant County; Attn: Annette, HR; 1402 E. Craig St; Moses Lake, WA 98837. Please note donation is in memory of Lisa Crum.