Obituary of Gerald Nicholas Croatt

    Gerald Nicholas Croatt, son of Louis and Eva (Kemem) Croatt, was born July 26. 1923 at Hospers, Iowa. He spent his youth in the Hospers area, and attended St. Anthony's Catholic School in Hospers through the 8th Grade.

    Gerald helped his Dad on the family farm until November of 1945 when he enlisted with the United States Army. He served in the U.S. Cavalry while in the military, earning a Victory Medal. In 1946, following an honorable discharge, Gerald returned to Hospers, and continued working with his father in their farming operation.

    On September 25, 1971, Gerald was united in marriage to Rosella Klein at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Hospers. They took up the farming endeavor near Hospers where they lived until Gerald's retirement. Not often does a person have the opportunity to live on the farmstead of your youth, and work that same land your entire farming career. Gerald found great satisfaction taking care of his equipment, and being the steward of the land entrusted to him.

    Gerald was a life-long member of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Hospers. When he and Rosella retired, they left the farm and moved to Sioux Center, Iowa. Eventually they became residents at Fieldcrest in Sheldon, Iowa. Gerald passed away at Sanford Senior Care Center on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the age of 94.

    Preceding him in death were his parents, Louis and Eva Croatt; his brothers: Nicholas Croatt, and Arnold Croatt; sisters: Lois Ann Holevas, and Margaret Klein; sisters-in-law, Clara Croatt, and Jane Croatt; brothers-in-law: Tom Holevas, and Erv Eicher.

    Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Rosella of Sheldon, Iowa; his brother, David Croatt of Sibley, Iowa; sisters: Dolores Eicher of Bloomington, Minnesota, and Mary Croatt of Sioux City, Iowa; brother-in-law, Gerald Klein of Hospers, Iowa; many nieces, nephews and friends.

Celebration of Life

Gerald Nicholas Croatt

Born ~ July 26, 1923

Died ~ January 27, 2018

Age ~ 94 years   6 months   1 day

Memorial Service

Wednesday, January 31, 2018 ~ 10:30 a.m.

Visitation ~ 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.

St. Anthony's Catholic Church  

Hospers, Iowa

Clergy ~ Fr. Dan Greving

                Fr. Doug Klein

Organist ~ Janet Klein

Vocal ~ St. Anthony's Choir

Songs of Praise

"On Eagle's Wings"

"Amazing Grace"

"The King Of Love, My Shepherd Is"

"How Great Thou Art"

Military Graveside Rites

Hospers American Legion

Reuter Post #423

Interment

St. Anthony's Catholic Cemetery

Hospers, Iowa