Biography of Lois Elida Crawford Maden

Early Life and Family

Lois Elida Crawford was born on November 10, 1909, in Dodge City, Kansas. She was the daughter of Judson Foster Crawford and Josie Hammond Crawford. Lois grew up in Dodge City alongside her siblings, including her sister Esther and brothers Leon and Hugh. From an early age, Lois was surrounded by a supportive family environment in this bustling western Kansas town.

By the 1910 census, Lois was just a few months old and already listed as part of the Crawford household. She spent her childhood years at their home on Avenue G, attending local schools and making memories with her siblings.

Education and Young Adulthood

Lois attended Dodge City High School, where she was active in the late 1920s. She appeared in yearbooks in both 1928 and 1929, suggesting she was engaged in school life and on track with her studies. These were formative years for her, spent in a town known for its Wild West history and strong community spirit.

Marriage and Family Life

On January 24, 1929, Lois married Ralph Eugene Maden in Dodge City. Ralph was born on September 7, 1908, in Ford, Kansas. Shortly after their wedding, the young couple began building a life together.

They welcomed their first child, Marian Eugene Maden, on October 18, 1929, in Dodge City. By 1930, they had moved to Regnier, Baca County, Colorado, marking the start of a new chapter. Over the next two decades, Lois and Ralph expanded their family and built a busy household.

Their children included:

• Marian Eugene Maden (b. October 18, 1929, Dodge City, Kansas)
• Lawrence Elwin Maden (b. August 18, 1930, Springfield, Colorado)
• Leatha Jean Maden (b. December 15, 1933)
• Dallas Duane Maden (b. September 11, 1936)
• David Ralph Maden (b. December 4, 1940, Baca County, Colorado)
• Esther Winifred Maden (b. February 5, 1944, Baca County, Colorado)
• Carol Ann Maden (b. December 15, 1946)
• Ronald Lynn Maden (b. June 27, 1948, Baca County, Colorado)

The family first lived in rural Baca County communities, including Edler and Springfield, where Ralph worked primarily in farming. The 1940 census lists Lois as a homemaker caring for their growing family.

Later Years in Pueblo

By the early 1950s, the family had moved to Pueblo, Colorado. Lois and Ralph made their home at 1906 Elmwood Lane. While raising her children, Lois also embarked on a meaningful career. She worked as a supervisor at the Mental Retardation Center at the Colorado State Hospital, dedicating over 16 years to this role before retiring in April 1970.

Lois was active in her faith as well. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Springfield and attended Trinity United Methodist Church after moving to Pueblo.

Passing and Legacy

Lois passed away on January 18, 1972, in Pueblo after a long illness. She was 62 years old. At the time of her death, she left behind a large and loving family: her husband Ralph, their children living across Colorado and California, 18 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

She was buried on January 21, 1972, at Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo. Ralph followed her in death a few years later, passing on September 21, 1976, also in Pueblo. He was buried beside her.

Siblings

At the time of her passing, Lois was survived by her sister Esther Noll of Taos, New Mexico; her brother Leon Crawford of Dodge City, Kansas; and her brother Hugh Crawford of Flagstaff, Arizona.

Historical Context

Lois’s life spanned a fascinating and often challenging period in American history. Born just before World War I and growing up during the Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression, she experienced times of both hardship and great change.

The family’s move to Colorado during the 1930s suggests they were part of a larger pattern of migration as families sought new opportunities during and after the Dust Bowl years.

Raising eight children through the 1940s and 1950s, Lois embodied the strength and resilience of many American mothers of her generation. Later, her work at the Colorado State Hospital reflected a broader mid-20th-century shift toward social services and care for people with disabilities.

Through all these changes, Lois remained dedicated to her family and community, leaving behind a legacy of love, hard work, and faith.

This biography was created with the assistance of ChatGPT, using information compiled from the following RootsMagic narrative report.

Lois Elida Crawford [1] was born on 10 Nov 1909 in Dodge City. [2–8]

She lived at 2nd Ward in Dodge City on 28 Apr 1910. [9] Lois Crawford was listed on the 1910 census as the daughter of J. F. Crawford. According to the census, Lois was 5 months old and born in Kansas.

She lived in Dodge City on 1 Jul 1915. [10] Lois was listed as a 5 year old in the household of Judson Crawford on the 1915 census living in Dodge City, Kansas

Lois lived at Avenue G in Dodge City on 12 Jan 1920. [11] Lois Crawford was listed on the 1920 census as the daughter of Judson F. Crawford. According to the census, she was 11 years old and born in Kansas.

She lived at 504 Avenue G in Dodge City in 1925. [12] Lois Crawford was listed on the 1925 Kansas census in the household of J F Crawford. According to the census, Lois was 15 years old and born in Kansas.

In 1928, she was educated at Dodge City High School in Dodge City. [13]

In 1929, Lois was educated at Dodge City High School in Dodge City. [14]

She married Ralph Eugene Maden on 24 Jan 1929 in Dodge City. [2–3,5–6,8,15–16]

She was the mother of Marian Eugene Maden who was born on 18 Oct 1929 in Dodge City. [5,17]

She lived in Regnier, Baca, Colorado, United States in 1930. [18] Lois E Maden was listed on the 1930 census as the wife of Ralph Maden. According to the census, she was 20 years old and born in Kansas.

Lois was the mother of Lawrence Elwin Maden who was born on 18 Aug 1930 in Springfield, Baca, Colorado, United States. [3,19–21]

She was the mother of Leatha Jean Maden who was born on 15 Dec 1933 . [22–24]

She lived in Edler, Baca, Colorado, United States in 1935. [25]

Lois was the mother of Dallas Duane Maden who was born on 11 Sep 1936 . [3,5,26–29]

She lived in Edler, Baca, Colorado, United States on 20 May 1940. [25] Lois E Maden was listed on the 1940 census as the wife of Ralph E Maden. According to the census, she was 30 years old and born in Kansas.

She was the mother of David Ralph Maden who was born on 4 Dec 1940 in Baca, Colorado, United States. [3,5,30–32]

Lois was the mother of Esther Winifred Maden who was born on 5 Feb 1944 in Baca, Colorado, United States. [3,5,33]

She was the mother of Carol Ann Maden who was born on 15 Dec 1946 . [3,5]

She was the mother of Ronald Lynn Maden who was born on 27 Jun 1948 in Baca, Colorado, United States. [5]

Lois lived in Springfield, Baca, Colorado, United States in Feb 1949. [34]

She lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1952. [35]

She lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1954. [36]

Lois lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1958. [37]

She lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1960. [38]

She lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1964. [39]

Lois lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1966. [40]

She lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1971. [41]

She died on 18 Jan 1972 at the age of 62 in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States. [3,5–8,42] Lois Elida Maden, Jan. 18, 1972, in a local hospital after a lengthy illness. wife of Ralph Maden of the family home, 1906 Elmwood Lane. Mother of David Maden and Mrs. Carol Carlson, both of Pueblo; Larence Maden, Lamar; Mrs. Esther Benesch, La Junta; Dallas Maden, rialto, Calif., and Mrs. Leatha Stumph, Chula Vista, Calif. Grandmother of 18; great-grandmother of 1. Sister of Mrs. Esther Noll, taos, N.m.; Leon Crawford, Dodge City, Kan., and Hugh Crawford, Flagstaff, Ariz. Member of Methodist Church in springfield, colo., and attended Trininty United Methodist Curch. Born Nov. 10, 1909, in Dodge City. Pueblo resident since 1951. Was supervisor of Mental retardation Center, Colorado State Hospital, for 16 1/2 years. Retired ini April 1970. Mr. and Mrs. Maden were married Jan. 24, 1929, in Dodge City. Services 1:30 p.m. Friday. Davis Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Claude Kinsley officiating. To Imperial Memorial Gardens.


Lois was buried on 21 Jan 1972 at Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States. [5–8]

Lois Elida Crawford and Ralph Eugene Maden were married on 24 Jan 1929 in Dodge City. [2–3,5–6,8,15–16]

They lived  in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1961. [43]

Ralph Eugene Maden [5] was born on 7 Sep 1908 in Ford, Ford, Kansas, United States. [3,5,44–45]

He married Lois Elida Crawford on 24 Jan 1929 in Dodge City. [2–3,5–6,8,15–16]

He was the father of Marian Eugene Maden who was born on 18 Oct 1929 in Dodge City. [5,17]

He lived in Baca, Colorado, United States on 17 Apr 1930. [18] a 21 year old male born Kansas and was listed as Ralph E. Maden

Ralph was the father of Lawrence Elwin Maden who was born on 18 Aug 1930 in Springfield, Baca, Colorado, United States. [3,19–21]

He was the father of Leatha Jean Maden who was born on 15 Dec 1933 . [22–24]

He was the father of Dallas Duane Maden who was born on 11 Sep 1936 . [3,5,26–29]

Ralph lived in Edler, Baca, Colorado, United States on 20 May 1940. [25] a 31 year old male born in Kansas who farmed and was listed as Ralph E. Maden

He was the father of David Ralph Maden who was born on 4 Dec 1940 in Baca, Colorado, United States. [3,5,30–32]

He registered for the military draft  in 1942 in Springfield, Baca, Colorado, United States. [46]

Ralph was the father of Esther Winifred Maden who was born on 5 Feb 1944 in Baca, Colorado, United States. [3,5,33]

He was the father of Carol Ann Maden who was born on 15 Dec 1946 . [3,5]

He was the father of Ronald Lynn Maden who was born on 27 Jun 1948 in Baca, Colorado, United States. [5]

Ralph lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1954. [36]

He lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1958. [37]

He lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1960. [38]

Ralph lived in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States in 1964. [47]

He died on 21 Sep 1976 at the age of 68 in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States. [3,5,45,48–49] Ralph Maden, 68, Pueblo, Colo., died Monday in a Pueblo hospital following a long illness.

He was buried on 23 Sep 1976 at Imperial Memorial Gardens in Pueblo, Pueblo, Colorado, United States. [5,45]

ENDNOTES

1. Josie Hammond Crawford entry, 2 Aug 1950 Last Will and Testament, ; , . Hereinafter cited as Last Will and Testament Josie Crawford.

2. Crawford, Judson F., Judson F. Crawford Family Bible (n.p.: no publisher, n.d.); Marcia Philbrick, Seneca, KS, photocopy in Crawford.Washington.Notebook

3. “Judson Foster Crawford”, Gladys Crawford, compiler, The Crawford Family (n.p., Gladys Crawford, n.d.)

4. Kansas, State Board of Health, Birth Certificate 27679 (10 November 1909), Lois Elida Crawford; Division of Vital Statistics, Topeka, Kansas.

5. , Benesch, Esther, compiler, Descendants of Ralph and Lois Maden , received Dec. 2007).

6. “Davis Memorial Chapel Obituary Clipping,” undated clipping, from unidentified newspaper; Crawford Family Papers, passed down to Marcia Philbrick by Winnie Crawford; privately held 2021 by Marcia Philbrick, , Seneca, KS.

7. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online August 2016), memorial for Lois Elida Crawford Maden (1909-1972), Find a Grave Memorial no. #28207797, created by Vaughan Mavir, citing Imperial Memorial Gardens, Pueblo, Pueblo County, Colorado; accompanying photograph by Cindy, Lois Elida Crawford Maden.

8. The Maden Family Our Lives Today 2008: Ralph Eugene Maden and Lois Elida Crawford, 2008 (Pueblo, Colorado: n.p., 2008), p. 6.

9. 1910 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kanass, ED 45, Sheet 3B, Image 6 of 30, household 16, Crawford JF; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T624

10. 1915 Kansas State Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 2, Image 73 of 279, household 9, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); Kansas State Historical Society

11. 1920 U.S. Census, Ford County, Kansas, population schedule, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, ED 53, Sheet 7B, Image 14 of 22, dwelling 161, Crawford Judson F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017); NARA microfilm publication T625

12. 1925 Kansas Census, Ford County Kansas, Kansas State Census, Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas, page 14, Image 182 of 202, dwelling 3, Crawford J F; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2017)

13. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Lois Crawford, 1928; digital images, (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017).

14. United States, School Yearbooks, 1880-2012, Lois Crawford, 1929; digital images, (www.ancestry.com).

15. Kansas, Central Division of Vital Statistics, Marriage License #44483 (24 January 1929), Ralph E. Maden and Lois E. Crawford; State of Kansas, Topeka, KS.

16. Ford County, Kansas, Book I: page 423, Lois Crawford / Ralph Maden; Ford County Clerk, Dodge City, Kansas.

17. “Births,” The Dodge City Journal (Dodge City, Kansas), 31 October 1929, page 1; digital images, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online 14 July 2025).

18. 1930 U.S. Census, Baca County, Colorado, population schedule, Regnier, Baca County, Colorado, 8, sheet 3A, Image 5 of 14, household 52, Ralph Maden; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA T626.

19. Social Security Administration, “Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007,” database on-line, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/60901/ : viewed online December 2016), Lawrence Elwin Maden.

20. “U.S. Obituary Collection, 1930-Current,” database online, http://www.oregonlive.com/obituaries, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online September 2017), Lawrence E Maden.

21. “Lawrence E. Maden,” The Pueblo Chieftain (Pueblo, Colorado), 18 October 2007; transcription, GenealogyBank (genealogybank.com : viewed online 14 July 2025).

22. “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (September 2017), Leatha Jean Stumph.

23. “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (September 2017), Leatha J Stumph.

24. Leatha Jean Stumph, obituary,20 May 2013.Roselawn Funeral Home & Cemetery, Roselawn Funeral Home & Cemetery (https://www.roselawnpueblo.org/ : viewed online 14 July 2025)

25. 1940 U.S. Census, Baca County, Colorado, population schedule, Edler, Baca County, Colorado, ED 5-10, Sheet 3A, Image 5 of 10, household 48, Ralph Maden; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online July 2017); NARA T627.

26. Voter Registration Lists Public Record Filings, Historical Residential Records and other Household Database Listings, “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2,” index, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed online September 2017), Dallas D Maden.

27. “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (September 2017), Dallas D Maden.

28. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online 29 December 2020), memorial for Dallas Duane Maden (1936-2018), Find a Grave Memorial no. #195357324, created by TD Miller, citing Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, Riverside County, California; accompanying photograph by landjnero, Dallas Duane Maden.

29. Dignity Memorial, Dignity Memorial Obituaries (https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries : viewed onilne 14 July 2025), Dallas Duane Maden.

30. Social Security Administration, “U.S. Social Security Death Index,” database, Ancestry, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online December 2016), David R Maden, , 1958.

31. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online December 2016), memorial for David Ralph Maden (1940-2013), Find a Grave Memorial no. #113816139, created by Esther Benesch, citing cremated, ;, David Ralph Maden.

32. Voter Registration Lists Public Record Filings, Historical Residential Records and other Household Database Listings, “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 2,” index David R Maden.

33. “U.S. Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1,” Ancestry.com,  (www.ancestry.com : viewed online (September 2017), Esther W Benesch.

34. “Judson Foster Crawford,” digital image, The Hutchinson News (Hutchinson, Kansas), 23 February 1949, obituary; Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online February 2017).

35. Polk’s Pueblo (Pueblo County, Colo.) City Directory 1952 (Omaha, Nebr: R. O. Polk & Co., 1952),  page 224, Ralph Maden.

36. Polk’s Pueblo (Pueblo County, Colo.) City Directory 1954 (Omaha, NE: R. L. Polk & Col, 1954), p. 377, Ralph E. Maden; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online November 2016).

37. Polk’s Pueblo (Pueblo County, Colo.) City Directory 1958 (Kansas City, MO: R. L. Polk & Co., 1958), p. 312, Maden Dallas D; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online December 2018).

38. Polk’s Pueblo City Directory 1960 (Kansas City, Missouri: R. L. Polk & Co., Publishers, 1960), p 345, Maden Dallas D; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online December 2018).

39. Polk’s Pueblo (Pueblo County, Colo.) City Directory 1964 (Detroit, Michigan: R L Polk & Co., 1964), 376, Maden Lois; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online August 2017).

40. Polk’s Pueblo (Pueblo County, Colo.) City Directory 1966 (Kansas City, MO: R L. Polk & Co, 1966), 384; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online August 2017).

41. “Horton,” El Paso Times (El Paso, Texas), 3 November 1971, page 19; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online October 2019).

42. Lois Elida Maden, death certificate #01653 (17 January 1972), State of Colorado, Colorado Department of Health, Denver, Colorado.

43. Polk’s Pueblo (Pueblo County, Colo.) City Directory1961 (Kansas City, Missouri: R. L. Polk & Co., Publishers, 1961), p. 398, Maden, Ralph; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online December 2016).

44. Social Security Administration, “U.S. Social Security Death Index”, database, Ancestry.com, Ralph Maden, 523-40-4714, 1951.

45. Find a Grave, database and images, Find a Grave (www.findagrave.com : viewed online December 2016), memorial for Ralph Eugene Maden (1908-1976), Find a Grave Memorial no. #28207790,

46. “U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947,” database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online September 2017), Ralph Eugene Maden.

47. Polk’s Pueblo (Pueblo County, Colo.) City Directory (Detroit, MI: R. L. Polk & Co, 1964), [City], page 376, Ralph E Maden; digital image, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : viewed online September 2017).

48. Social Security Administration, “U.S. Social Security Death Index”, database, Ancestry.com, Ralph Maden, 523-40-4714, 1951.

49. “Deaths: Ralph Maden,” digital image, Garden City Telegram (Garden City, Kansas), 24 September 1976, obituary; digital image, Newspapers.com (www.newspapers.com : viewed online April 2017).