Connie Lynn (Crane) Beaupré, 62, passed away October 31st at St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Montana surrounded by her family after courageously battling a terminal illness.
Connie was born November 13, 1954 in Helena, Montana, the youngest of James Morris Crane and Dorothy Mae (Hoeffner) Cummings’ four children. She grew up in Clancy, Montana and attended Jefferson High School from 1969/1970 – 1971/1972, where she met her now husband Michael “Shane” Beaupré. While attending JHS, she ran track and held the 400m track record for many years. She was also crowned the 1972 prom queen with Shane Beaupré as king. Connie graduated from Helena Senior in 1973.
Upon completion of high school the sweethearts moved to Toronto, Ontario where Shane worked as a Boilermaker. Here they welcomed their first child, Shannon. Shane’s profession took the couple all over the United States which Connie enjoyed as she loved to travel and be with Shane.
After many years of travel and three more babies, Rachelle, Zach and Tara, they settled down in Boulder, Montana. In 1980 they built their home, known by friends and family as “The Cabin”. Here Connie and Shane raised their four children and enjoyed many endless nights out under the covered porch or sitting around a bonfire having a couple of drinks and talking.
Connie attended PIMA Medical Institute in 1992, where she obtained her Medical Assistant degree. She worked at a local Nursing Home for a while until she gave up her medical career to stay home and help raise her grandbabies.
Connie enjoyed camping, horseback riding and taking a cruise around the valley or exploring one of the many old jeep trails with Shane and their kids. She was often talked into going horseback riding with her children and usually ended up laughing so hard she would almost pee her pants, which would make her kids want to run the horses even faster.
She was known to wake her kids up with a little tune every morning just to get them out of bed. She would not stop singing “It’s time to rise and shine” until they were all up. This tradition is carried on by her four children to their children.
Anyone and everyone that knew Connie was always welcome at The Cabin. She would always greet you with an infectious big wide smile and would hold you with a hug so tight you could barely breathe. She always had a warm meal cooked, ready on the stove for anyone that was hungry. She would always fix your plate with more food than you can eat.
Later, in her years you would find Connie out on the porch having a drink and talkin’ with her sweetheart, Shane, kids, grandkids and friends. She loved the company and would hate to see you go. Upon leaving, you would always see her on the porch waving goodbye with an “I love you” in sign language and she would keep waving until you were out of sight.
She has been referred to as a sweetheart and will be missed by so many, The Cabin will not be the same without her.
Connie was preceded in death by her father and mother, her two brothers Tim Crane and Tom Crane, nephew Travis Crane, maternal grandparents Elsie (Rediger) Hoeffner, paternal grandparents and her beloved dogs.
Connie is survived by her loving husband, Shane, and four children, Shannon Beaupré, of Gallatin Gateway, MT; Rachelle (Ryan) Lilletvedt; Zach (Elaine) Beaupré of Helena, MT; Tara (Mike) Hertweck, of Big Timber, MT and her brothers, Dan Crane; Tyler Crane; and JJ Crane.
Connie has 12 beloved grandchildren that she considered her pride and joy: Marcus, Kinzi, Madi, Lexus, Jaden, Jayzic, Tavyn, Corbin, Quinn, Kailie, Scarlet and Carly “Bo”, as well as extended family and friends.
Please visit below to offer a condolence to the family or to share a memory of Connie.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
Service Schedule
Services are pending at this time or no services will be held. If available, please see obituary for more information.
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Terry W Bass says
A very nice woman. May she Rest In Peace. My condolences to Shane and family.
David Mabry says
Shane I feel your loss..it is hard .
so sorry.
Denise Feller says
Dear Beaupre Family:
I know how much Connie will be missed. I always liked talking with her while I was School Nurse in Boulder. I am so sorry for you all.
April Charlton says
Dear Beaupre family,
I loved Connie so much and always held her dear in my heart. She was one of a kind and so beautiful inside and out. I am so sorry to hear that she is gone.
Love, April
Joe &Mariann Calnan says
The Cranes and the Crane family were our best friends and neighbors in the early days of Gruber Estates in Clancy. We really missed them when Jim and family moved away. We had many good years of friendship with them and all the kids specially Connie who baby-sat our four kids on many occasions. Connie was always a joy to be around,lots of smiles and hugs. I would see her ocasionally in Boulder, especially around rodeo time, I’, sorry we never had an opportunity to be around her and her family. Just the fact that she is gone leaves a hole in my heart.
Kathy Sutton says
My prayers for the Crane (and extended) family. Although Connie and I haven’t seen one another in years, she was a best friend in high school and a sweetie. Enjoyed seeing her off and on since high school. She will be missed for sure by all. God Bless you all.
Kathy Johnson Sutton
Scott Schneckloth says
Shane, zack, and family thoughts and prayers are with you.
Melynda Harris says
Melynda Harris (Barnes)
Connie was a wonderful influence on me as I was growing up. (like a second mom) Sorry for your loss Shane, Shannon,Rachelle, Zach, Tara.
Joyce Colby says
Beaupre family,
Even though I haven’t seen you in years. I often thought about you all. So sorry to her of your loss. Connie was an all around good hearted person and loved her family with everything she had. Her smile lite up the room. RIP Connie until we meet again. God bless her family.
Scott Bummer asked me to tell you all he was sorry to hear of Connie”s passing.
Boilermakers Local 11 says
Brothers Shane and Zach Beaupre,
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time.
Your brothers and sisters at Boilermakers Local 11
Jan Nyquest Casarotto says
My prayers and thoughts are with you Crane and Beaupre family. Will always remember seeing Connie fly around the track like she owned it. We were all very proud of her! And I don’t think Shane ever missed a race!