Robert M. Crawford

Funeral services for Robert M. Crawford, age 61, of Norfolk, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 20, 2025, at First United Methodist Church in Norfolk. Reverend Neil Gately will officiate, with burial in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Norfolk.

Visitation will be Sunday from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue, in Norfolk.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Robert died Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Faith Regional Health Services in Norfolk.

Robert Michael Crawford, son of Arnold and Rosalia (Boyle) Crawford, was born April 21, 1964, in Buffalo, Wyoming.  He grew up in Osmond and Plainview, Nebraska and graduated from Plainview High School in 1982. Robert was united in marriage to Kristi Swenson in May of 1985 at First United Methodist Church in Norfolk. To this union, they had one daughter, Kayla Rae.

He was employed as a purchasing director at Beef America for 14 years. In 1999, Robert began his 26-year long career at Norfolk Transmission, initially as a purchasing director, and later as service manager.

Faith and family were foremost in Robert’s life. He was a faithful Christian, sang in the church choir, and served as an usher at First United Methodist Church. He loved spending time with his family and would do anything to help them or anyone in need. He was a loyal friend. Robert was an avid Nebraska Husker fan and also loved the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals. He was also a member of the Norfolk Jaycee’s.

Robert loved to cook. His specialties were grilling, baking sour cream raisin bars, pork chops and cutlets, and making homemade ice cream. He enjoyed collecting Coca Cola memorabilia, mustangs, playing pitch, and playing the guitar. He could often be found walking the mall, where he was known for handing out mints, but only the blue kind.

Robert is survived by his daughter, Kayla (Travis) Spaulding; granddaughter, Memphis Spaulding; sisters, Charlotte Neitzke and Lorraine (Willard) Freeman; brother, Kevin (Tina) Crawford; love of his life, Kristi Crawford; father-in-law, Roger Swenson; brother-in-law, Christopher (Wendy) Swenson; grandson, Parker Spaulding; ex-son-in-law, Zeb Spaulding; honorary grandsons, Caleb and Brody Nelson; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and family friends; and his toy Pomeranian, Cooper.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents, Charles and Alice Boyle and Horace and Pearl Crawford; mother-in-law, Linda R. Swenson; brothers, Ervin and Bill Crawford; sister-in-law, Betty Crawford; brother-in-law, Mark R. Swenson; and nephews, Charles and Marc Crawford.

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