Cindy Craft
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Cindy Craft – Cindy Craft made a peaceful departure from this earth on September 3, 2021, after a long battle with cancer. She died at home surrounded by her family. Cindy was born April 27, 1948 in Mt. Pleasant, PA, to Doris Westerman. She spent her early years in rural Pennsylvania before moving to Pittsburgh in 1956 when her mother married James Kreuzberger. The family subsequently moved to Overland Park in 1963. Cindy attended Shawnee Mission West High School and went on to graduate from the University of Kansas with a degree in Journalism. Her work career was spent almost exclusively with the Social Security Administration in the Kansas City regional office. While a self-proclaimed reluctant leader by nature she rose to the level of program expert and team leader. She received several national awards for her work. Cindy loved water. For a number of years she had a swimming pool which became the neighborhood hangout. She was also an excellent water skier (and incidentally an excellent snow skier). The ideal summer weekend was taking the boat to Clinton Lake with family and friends and teaching them how to ski. She also loved Kansas Jayhawks basketball. Cindy attended every home game, watched away games religiously and attended three final fours, including the big one in 2008. Family was the most important thing for Cindy. Trips with family and to see family were regular events…especially once grandchildren started arriving. She was a spectacular grandmother and dearly loved them all and they loved her. Cindy had an infectious laugh and she loved people. She made everyone feel welcomed even as her health declined near the end. She never sat next to someone on a plane or at an event without making friends with them. Cindy was preceded in death by her mother Doris, her adoptive father James Kreuzberger and her sister, Jane Elam. She leaves her husband of 31 years, Daryl, daughter Erin and son Mike, brother Jim, five grandchildren, beloved nieces and nephews, and a life-time of friends. A celebration of her amazing life will be held Saturday, October 2, at the Arterra Event Gallery, 2161 Quail Creek Drive in Lawrence from 1:00 to 4:00. As a courtesy to other attendees we ask that anyone not fully vaccinated please wear a mask.
We just learned of Cindy’s passing, Daryl, from the ljw obituary. That we were shocked shows how out-of-touch we are since this wretched virus. You gave me a scary account of Cindy’s condition when I dropped by several years back, but the prognosis looked favorable at that time. We missed the chance to catch up at the HOA meeting…. We will miss Cindy’s big smile and that infectious laugh. Please know we are thinking of you.
Our sincere condolences to Daryl and family. We enjoyed getting to know Cindy and Daryl as neighbors when we moved to Lawrence a few years ago, and shared many enjoyable meals and some fun travels. Greatly enjoyed the opportunity to see her skiing skills in action on Clinton Lake in their boat. What a pleasant memory it is for us. Cindy will be missed by all her knew her.
Erin, Mike and Daryl—-I am so sorry to hear about Cindy’s death. I knew her as a sorority sister in college and always enjoyed being her friend. At one time she was married to my cousin and attended many dinners at my mother’s and Aunt LaVerne’s house. We were having children at the same time so I knew Erin and Mike when they were little.
Time passed, and I last saw her at a sorority event in 2012 with other pledge sisters. That was a fun weekend!
It does hit home when someone my age is gone, but I know she left you with wonderful memories. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Condolences Daryl to you and your family. My family and I will continue to keep you in prayer. Reading about Cindy leaves me with the thought of what a wonderful person she is. So many great memories for all who know her to reminisce over for years to come.
Daryl, Erin, Mike, & Jim,
I was sorry to hear of Cindy’s passing. I knew the Kreuzberger family at Valley View Methodist church. They joined shortly before we did. Although I knew Janie, Doris & Jim better than Cindy & Jim, I knew the whole family was special. They were very involved in the church…Doris was the Sunday School teacher in the class I attended. And I believe Cindy was active in the youth group. The family was warm, humorous, lovely. My thoughts & prayers will continue you for you family. God gained a good one!