Heather Anne (Sperry) Crade, loving wife and mother, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2026, at the age of 80, in Madison, WI. Heather was born on February 23, 1946, in Joliet, IL, to David and Barbara Sperry. She was one of 4 siblings (Jennifer, Heather, Laura, and Kim).

Heather married Steven Crade on July 21, 1973, in Madison, WI. Together they shared a beautiful marriage and family for the next 53 years.

Heather and Steve moved into a home on Madison’s west side. Together they had three children, Jessamyn, Jacob, and Corrina.

As a mother, Heather was loving, kind, and supportive. She shared her love with her children in a multitude of ways including: instilling an appreciation for animals, engaging in crafts, baking and cooking, family travels around the country, organizing birthday parties, and encouraging her children in their own pursuits.

Heather also shared her love fully as a grandmother to her 5 grandchildren (Elena, Abram, Julian, Pippa, and River). She enjoyed crafts, baking, family gatherings, and hanging out. She always had a listening ear for her grandkids. She was warm and welcoming and shared her wisdom and guidance with them just as she shared with her own children.

Heather enjoyed learning and was always an excellent and natural student. She earned her BA from UW-Madison in 1968, a Masters in Sociology from UW-Madison in 1970, and a Nursing degree in 1975. She had her first career working in psychiatric nursing. She later earned a Masters in Religious Studies from Edgewood College in December of 2004 and was blessed to enter into the field of parish nursing. She served as parish nurse at Queen of Peace Catholic Parish for 19 years. During this time, she shared her kind presence and faith in a variety of ways with parishioners by organizing health-oriented events, visiting people who were sick, offering counsel, and sharing in prayer. She continued volunteering in her faith community after she retired from Parish Nursing in 2017.

Throughout her life, Heather found great enjoyment in creating. Among other things, she decorated dollhouses for her daughters, made beautiful tiles that adorned her kitchen, and most recently turned her energy towards creating exquisite and whimsical shadow boxes. She exhibited her shadow boxes at several local craft fairs.

Heather is survived by her husband, Steven Crade; daughter Jessamyn (Nicholas Reiter); son Jacob Crade; daughter Corrina (Patrick Cunningham); grandchildren Elena and Abram Reiter, and Julian, Pippa, and River Cunningham; sister Jennifer Sperry; brother Kim Sperry; and many close family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6, at Our Lady Queen of Peace, 401 S. Owen Dr., from 9:30-11 am. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 am.    

Please share your memories of Heather below.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd     Madison

608-238-3434