Obituary

Obituary Catherine (Kay) E. Crank, retired librarian

04/01/1929 to 10/11/2026

Salem, NY – Catherine (Kay) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to George A. Werner and Louise Van Hee and was the oldest of five children.

Kay passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, with her daughter Becky and granddaughter Katrina by her side.

Kay lived an amazing and full life. After she was born, she moved to the tiny town of Vesta, Minnesota, with her parents and siblings. She attended Woodlake High School, where she graduated top of her class on a full scholarship to St. Catherine’s University, where she also graduated top of her class with a B.S. in Library Science. During this time, she spent her summers working hard as a babysitter, cleaner, newspaper reporter, telephone operator, egg cracker in a powdered egg factory, carhop waitress, and cashier.

After she graduated, she found a job overseas for the Department of Defense in Germany. She courageously boarded a bus from Minnesota to New York City, where she then boarded a cargo ship with 4,000 sailors and set sail for a new life in Germany. While in Germany, she met her husband, Joseph Ertel. Joe was the Chief of the Storage Division for the United States Military. Joe was very proud that his depot was the most secure in the area. One day, while they were dating, Kay called the motor pool and had them drive her to the depot, where she entered and stole a typewriter. She then had the driver take her to Joe’s office, and she set the Typewriter on his desk. Kay had a way of keeping people humble. After their marriage in 1953, they moved to Kaiserslautern, Germany, where they raised two beautiful daughters. In 1969, she and her family moved back to the US and settled in Hoosick Falls, New York. Kay enjoyed her career as the librarian at Cambridge Central School until her “retirement” in 1991.

After the tragic death of her first husband, Kay married Joe P. Crank in 1976. They settled in Salem, NY.

Kay’s community was very important to her, and she was engaged in many community groups and events. She was also a passionate learner and continued her education at the University of New York at Albany, the University of Maine, and the University of Maryland.

Along the way, she met many lifelong friends through the community and her volunteer activities. She served on many boards, including the Board of Trustees at Adirondack Community College, and was proud of her social activism and hobbies, including reading, painting, gardening, and writing poetry. She volunteered for Literacy Volunteers, prepared taxes for seniors, was on the Peace Makers Committee, and hosted local German exchange students. For years, she hosted Tai Chi, Poetry, and German-speaking groups.

Kay was instrumental in preserving the Salem Courthouse, founded the Preservation Committee, and served as its Chairwoman. She lit up a room with her wit and had a strong sense of integrity. Her enthusiasm for life will leave a lasting legacy in the lives she touched. Many will miss and fondly remember her as a friend, educator, artist, peacemaker, and loving mother.

Kay is survived by her daughters Gretchen Ingraham of Bennington, VT; Rebecca Ertel of Salem, NY; and Helen Morris (Mort) of Fort Edward, NY; her grandchildren Heather McNulty (Peter), Gwen Roderick (A.J.), Joe Dugan (Jen), and Katrina Dugan (Mehmet); her great-grandchildren, Max Roderick, Ryan, Brooklyn & Trace Vaine, Brody & Olivia Dugan and Anna McNulty. She is also survived by her only remaining sibling, Richard Werner (Barb) of Minnesota, as well as her great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Calling hours will be on Sunday, October 18, 2026, from 2 to 4 pm at McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, 19 East Broadway, Salem, NY

The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 19, 2026, at 10 am, Holy Cross Catholic Church, 249 N Main St, Salem, NY, with a reception following the service at the Salem Fire House.

Kay would welcome donations in her memory to The Salem Courthouse, The Historic Preservation Committee, P.O. Box 140, Salem, NY 12865; the Bancroft Public Library, P.O. Box 478, Salem, NY 12865; the Salem Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 360, Salem, NY 12865 or Community Hospice, 179 Lawrence St., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

If you wish to send flowers, they can be sent in care of McClellan-Gariepy Funeral Home, 19 East Broadway, Salem, NY, for the services of Catherine Crank.