Gail Lee (Janssen) Cranston, 78, of Johnstown, Colorado, went home to be with the Lord surrounded by her loving family on September 22nd, 2025.
Born on May 26th, 1947, in Sac City, Iowa, Gail was the cherished daughter of Reinard and Sylvia Janssen. She grew up on the family farm before moving into town when her father purchased a farm implement business. Gail attended Odebolt/Arthur schools, graduating in 1965.
That same year, Gail began writing the love story of her life with her high school sweetheart, Greg Cranston. On August 22nd, 1966, the two were married, beginning a lifelong partnership filled with devotion, laughter, and faith. While Greg served in the U.S. Navy in Long Beach, California, Gail earned her associate degree in Omaha, Nebraska. In 1968, while Greg was deployed overseas, Gail welcomed their first child, Tracy, and lovingly cared for her during the first seven months of life on her own.
After Greg’s service, the family returned to Iowa so he could pursue his college degree. Gail worked tirelessly, offering both emotional and financial support, as she always put family first. Together, they welcomed their second daughter, Leslie, in 1971, and then moved to Newton, Iowa, for Greg’s career in banking.
In 1977, the family settled in Yuma, Colorado where they put down lasting roots. It was there that Gail and Greg added two more daughters to their family – Kadie in 1978 and Jody in 1981. Their home in Yuma became a place filled with love, laughter, and the smell of Gail’s famous banana bread.
Over the years, Gail and Greg’s legacy grew and they welcomed four beloved sons-in-law, 10 grandchildren, and eventually 5 great-grandchildren. In 2025, Greg and Gail made the heartfelt decision to move to Johnstown, Colorado so they could be closer to family and more easily attend the many activities and milestones of their grandchildren. True to her spirit, Gail never missed a game, concert, or celebration.
Gail will forever be remembered for her steadfast love of family, her warm presence at every gathering, and the delicious foods she faithfully shared – banana bread that touched hearts beyond the family, deviled eggs at Thanksgiving, and potato salad at summer get-togethers. Her family was her life, and she left this world the same way she lived in it – surrounded by those she loved most.
Gail’s memory will live on in the hearts of her husband Greg, their four daughters Tracy, Leslie, Kadie, and Jody, their sons-in-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and the many friends who were blessed to know her.
Gail is preceded in death by her parents – Reinard and Sylvia Janssen, sister Kathy Bloyer, brother Grant Janssen and brother-in-law Bill Belt.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years Greg Cranston, daughters Tracy (Mark) Bohm, Leslie (Rick) Whitehead, Kadie (Randy) Stippich, Jody (Kurt) Fritch, sister Marsha Belt, 10 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and many other family and friends.