It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, uncle and cousin Clarence Clark Crane Chief. Clarence passed on November 26, 2025 in Cardston, Alberta. On June 30, 1961 Clarence was born on the Blood Reserve to the late Dan and Eileen Crane Chief.
Left to mourn Clarence’s passing are his children, Vanessa Good Dagger (Ralph Jr.), Melanie Across The Mountain (Ty), and Crystal Across The Mountain (Everette). Grandchildren, Arlene, Ali, Sebastian, Chloe, Noah, Bronzer, Autumn, Everest, Ecco, Brooke, Brielle, Blake, Bodie, Jacinta and Xavier. Nephews Kelly, Phillip (baby girl Naomi), Cobin, Bernie, Gerald, Jason Jr., Trevor Crane Chief, Douglas Parkins, Ernest Newman. Nieces, Charlene (Alan) Rowland, Tamara, Audrey, Marcella, Rolanda, Brenda and Makaya. Many other great nieces and nephews. Relatives, Stan (Rose) Hairy Bull, Randy (Jayleen) Hairy Bull, Evelyn Across The Mountain (Patrick), Christine (Melvin) White Man, Lucille Across The Mountain, William (Mary) Long Time Squirrel and Benita Long Time Squirrel. Aunts Rita Many Fingers and Myrna Chief Moon. Brother-in-law Gilbert Across The Mountain.
Clarence was preceded in death by his children Clarence Jr. “CeeCee” Across The Mountain and Charlotte Crying Head. Parents Dan and Eileen Crane Chief, siblings, Doreen, Clara, Martin (Geraldine), Bernice, Daniel, Linda (Micheal), Douglas, Brenda, Jonas, Roland (Vivian), Karen, Cory Crane Chief, and Sherry
(Blaine) Parkins. Clarence was also predeceased by his great niece Wanda “Dolly” Crane Chief who cared for Clarence until her passing. Uncles Robert Hairy Bull Martin (Theresa) Hairy Bull. Aunts Celina (Joe) Rabbit, Cecile (Roger) Across The Mountain. Maternal grandparents Sam and Lucy (Gros Ventre Boy) Hairy Bull, maternal great grandparents, Yellow Tail and Emma Wolf Child, maternal great grandfather Tsiinakoan (Gros Ventre Man).
Clarence was born to Dan and Eileen and was part of a big family with lots of siblings, nieces and nephews and cousins who all lived in the Levern and Little Chicago area. Clarence, with his family, had a deep faith in God and his practiced Catholic beliefs by taking part in the Good Friday walk and he wore his Rosaries necklace everyday. In his younger years Clarence attended school in Levern and St. Marys. Clarence was always known to be kind, quiet and always had a smile for everyone. He spent most of his time with his parents and siblings. Orlando Calling Last and Roseabelle Bare Shin Bone were his best friends up until this day.
Clarence’s favorite band was The Eagles. After leaving school, Clarence met Jennifer Across The Mountain in Lethbridge, and brought her home to Little Chicago. Starting a family of their own, they decided to move back to Lethbridge. After Jennifer’s passing, Clarence spent all of his time with family,especially with uncle Martin Hairy Bull. Uncle Martin created employment for his nephews by harvesting tipi poles. Clarence, Douglas, Jonas, Loyd and uncle Martin’s grandsons spent many summers in the mountains. Money made from the sales often went to trips to Calgary which all the boys enjoyed. Clarence had a deep love for family, he often talked about his late wife Jennifer and their children.
Beyond his struggles, he loved them and thought of them often. Lately he had made connections with all of his grandchildren and spent time with daughter Vanessa and her family. During his visits with his grandchildren he showed happiness and hugged them. He would tell Dolly, “these are mine!”
The Crane Chief family has always been known as fluent Blackfoot speakers. With the loss of Clarence, we have literally lost a volume of the Blackfoot language. Clarence will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren,nieces and nephews, and all who knew him.
A wake service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. A funeral service will also be at Senator Gladstone Hall on Saturday, December 6 at 12:00 pm.
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Left to mourn Clarence’s passing are his children, Vanessa Good Dagger (Ralph Jr.), Melanie Across The Mountain (Ty), and Crystal Across The Mountain (Everette). Grandchildren, Arlene, Ali, Sebastian, Chloe, Noah, Bronzer, Autumn, Everest, Ecco, Brooke, Brielle, Blake, Bodie, Jacinta and Xavier. Nephews Kelly, Phillip (baby girl Naomi), Cobin, Bernie, Gerald, Jason Jr., Trevor Crane Chief, Douglas Parkins, Ernest Newman. Nieces, Charlene (Alan) Rowland, Tamara, Audrey, Marcella, Rolanda, Brenda and Makaya. Many other great nieces and nephews. Relatives, Stan (Rose) Hairy Bull, Randy (Jayleen) Hairy Bull, Evelyn Across The Mountain (Patrick), Christine (Melvin) White Man, Lucille Across The Mountain, William (Mary) Long Time Squirrel and Benita Long Time Squirrel. Aunts Rita Many Fingers and Myrna Chief Moon. Brother-in-law Gilbert Across The Mountain.
Clarence was preceded in death by his children Clarence Jr. “CeeCee” Across The Mountain and Charlotte Crying Head. Parents Dan and Eileen Crane Chief, siblings, Doreen, Clara, Martin (Geraldine), Bernice, Daniel, Linda (Micheal), Douglas, Brenda, Jonas, Roland (Vivian), Karen, Cory Crane Chief, and Sherry
(Blaine) Parkins. Clarence was also predeceased by his great niece Wanda “Dolly” Crane Chief who cared for Clarence until her passing. Uncles Robert Hairy Bull Martin (Theresa) Hairy Bull. Aunts Celina (Joe) Rabbit, Cecile (Roger) Across The Mountain. Maternal grandparents Sam and Lucy (Gros Ventre Boy) Hairy Bull, maternal great grandparents, Yellow Tail and Emma Wolf Child, maternal great grandfather Tsiinakoan (Gros Ventre Man).
Clarence was born to Dan and Eileen and was part of a big family with lots of siblings, nieces and nephews and cousins who all lived in the Levern and Little Chicago area. Clarence, with his family, had a deep faith in God and his practiced Catholic beliefs by taking part in the Good Friday walk and he wore his Rosaries necklace everyday. In his younger years Clarence attended school in Levern and St. Marys. Clarence was always known to be kind, quiet and always had a smile for everyone. He spent most of his time with his parents and siblings. Orlando Calling Last and Roseabelle Bare Shin Bone were his best friends up until this day.
Clarence’s favorite band was The Eagles. After leaving school, Clarence met Jennifer Across The Mountain in Lethbridge, and brought her home to Little Chicago. Starting a family of their own, they decided to move back to Lethbridge. After Jennifer’s passing, Clarence spent all of his time with family,especially with uncle Martin Hairy Bull. Uncle Martin created employment for his nephews by harvesting tipi poles. Clarence, Douglas, Jonas, Loyd and uncle Martin’s grandsons spent many summers in the mountains. Money made from the sales often went to trips to Calgary which all the boys enjoyed. Clarence had a deep love for family, he often talked about his late wife Jennifer and their children.
Beyond his struggles, he loved them and thought of them often. Lately he had made connections with all of his grandchildren and spent time with daughter Vanessa and her family. During his visits with his grandchildren he showed happiness and hugged them. He would tell Dolly, “these are mine!”
The Crane Chief family has always been known as fluent Blackfoot speakers. With the loss of Clarence, we have literally lost a volume of the Blackfoot language. Clarence will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren,nieces and nephews, and all who knew him.
A wake service will be held at the Senator Gladstone Hall, Blood Reserve on Friday, December 5, 2025 from 7:00 - 11:00 pm. A funeral service will also be at Senator Gladstone Hall on Saturday, December 6 at 12:00 pm.
Click to Send Condolences to the Family