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, Kim, and Laura).

Heather married Steven Crade on July 21, 1973 in Madison, WI. Together they shared a beautiful marriage and family for the next 53 years. They loved spending time together with their three children, Jessamyn, Jacob, and Corrina and 5 grandchildren, Elena, Abram, Julian, Pippa, and River. Heather was devoted to her family in a multitude of ways including: instilling an appreciation for animals, engaging in crafts, baking and cooking, travels around the country, organizing birthday parties and holiday celebrations, and encouraging her children and grandchildren in their own pursuits.

Heather earned her BA from UW-Madison in 1968, a Masters in Sociology from UW-Madison in 1970, and a Nursing degree in 1975. 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. She decorated dollhouses for her daughters, made beautiful tiles that adorned her kitchen, and more recently created 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.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 6, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Drive, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. The service will be livestreamed at the following link https://www.youtube.com/live/0YVTbMyF1Ss?si=VelAWRCLpe-2AjHB 

Committal services will immediately follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Heather's family invites those in attendance to return to the church following the committal for a luncheon and a time to share memories.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Heather's name may be made to Angel's Wish Pet Adoption and Resource Center or National Audubon Society.

Please share your memories of Heather below.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Services

3610 Speedway Rd Madison

608-238-3434