Marie Crabtree, age 99, of Liberal, Missouri, passed away at 6:50 p.m. Monday, July 5, 2010 at Truman Healthcare Center in Lamar where she had been a patient for 31/2 years following a stroke.

     Marie was born October 6, 1910, in Barton County, one of the eleven children of Simon Frank and Daisy (Hall) Washburn.  On Christmas Day in 1932, she married Lorren Crabtree and they celebrated 59 years together before his death in 1991   She was also preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Jay, Francis, and Melvin Washburn; and six sisters, Louise Heim, Opal Greiner, Ethel Dermott, Fra Dermott, Elva Washburn, and Nonny Stahl.

     Marie graduated from Lamar High School and later from Pittsburg State University with a teaching degree.  At age 18, she began a thirty year teaching career, first in the rural schools of Barton County, driving a horse and buggy to school.  Later she taught for 24 years at Liberal, teaching second and third grade.  In addition to being a teacher, Marie was a devoted farm wife, and was active in her community as a member of the Bryan Club and Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

     Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Sam & Margie Crabtree; a daughter and son-in-law, Sally & Bob Suschnick; four grandchildren and their spouses, Nathan & Elizabeth Crabtree, Paul & Tanya Crabtree, Todd & Tonya Suschnick, Lori & Brent Bartlett; eight great-grandchildren, Mikayla & Chloe Bartlett, Lucas Crabtree, Theodore, Annabell & Samantha Crabtree, and Caleb & Cody Suschnick, all of Liberal; and a large extended family.  

     Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 10^th, at Daniel Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Garfield officiating.  Burial will be in Barton City Cemetery northeast of Liberal.

     Memorial contributions are suggested to Truman Healthcare Center in care of Daniel Funeral Home.