David Croatt
August 19, 1944 ~ July 15, 2013
David Joseph Croatt, age 68, of Lawler, Iowa died Monday morning, July 15, 2013, at the Linn Haven Rehab and Healthcare in New Hampton following a long battle with brain cancer.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 19, 2013, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church in Lawler with Rev. Nick March celebrating the Mass. The pall will be placed by Dave's wife and children. Bob Huinker will be the organist and vocalist. Lector will be Steve Lynch. Presenting the offertory gifts will be Aftin and Austin Phyfe.
Interment will be in Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery, Lawler, with Dean Schmitt, Doug Wieck, John Croatt, Tom Kerian, Kevin Wenthold, Paul Sabelka, Ryan Huffman and Andy Messersmith serving as pallbearers.
Friends may greet the family 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. Thursday, July 18, 2013, at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, Lawler where there will be a 4:00 p.m. rosary and a 6:00 p.m. parish scripture service. Visitation continues an hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.
David Joseph Croatt was born August 19, 1944 in New Hampton, Iowa the son of John and Blanche (Tierney) Croatt. He graduated from Turkey Valley High School in 1962. On August 19, 1967, he was united in marriage to Elaine Boeding at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas. To this union four children were born.
After high school, Dave farmed and did carpentry work. He also managed the Kaiser Fertilizer Plant in Jackson Junction for five years. From 1972 – 2000, Dave worked at Sara Lee as a supervisor and after Sara Lee closed, he worked until retirement at Featherlite in Cresco.
Dave dearly loved his family. He also loved sporting events that his children and grandchildren participated in. He was an avid Los Angeles Dodgers and Green Bay Packers fan.
David is survived by his wife of 46 years, Elaine; two sons, Keith Croatt, Kevin Croatt both of Cedar Falls; two daughters, Lisa (Steve) Phyfe of Waverly, Carol Canales (Wayne Gregg) of Amana; two grandchildren, Aftin and Austin Phyfe of Waverly; one brother, Gerald Croatt of Ossian; two sisters, Shirley (Alex) Schmitt of St. Lucas and Dorma (Dale) Wieck of Rochester, MN.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Duane Croatt in infancy, his mother and father-in-law, Joe and Ann Boeding and his step father-in-law, LeRoy Huffman.
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You have our sympathy Elaine and family. Bob and I worked with Dave at Sara Lee. He was one of a kind, always had something to say, and it was usually a funny story or comment. He was full of spunk and energy and knew everyone. May he rest in peace. Bob and Cyndy Weiglein
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family Elaine. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. Have so many memories of spending time with Dave and you at the Inwood Pavilion in Spillville. Always had a smile on his face and simply enjoyed life. He will be sadly missed. Terry and Cathy Bailey
Denise Northup lit a candle in memory of David J. Croatt
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of David J. Croatt.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Mark and Nena Winter and family
Our prayers and sympathy to you and your family Elaine. We enjoyed being around Dave at Sara Lee.He is at peace now and the cancer is no longer. Ken & Jeanine Douglas
Our deepest sympathy to your family. We both worked with Dave at Sara Lee, always had a good story to tell
THINKING OF THE CROATT FAMILY, SO SORRY. KEN AND ELAINE WURZER
Steve Trettin lit a candle in memory of David J. Croatt
Elaine and family, We wanted to express our sympathy for your recent loss. Dave was such a wonderful, compassionate man and we enjoyed working with him at Sara Lee. May God hold you close as you continue on life’s journey until you are once again united in heaven. Joe and Sharon Haskovec
Ken McGrane lit a candle in memory of David J. Croatt
Dave was always a fun person to be around and to work with for so many years.
Elaine and family, We always enjoyed talking with Dave at work. He always had a joke to tell and a smile on his face. He will be sadly miss by all. Jerry and Jane Hammel
Elaine and family, So sorry for your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
Elaine and family, You are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Keep the memories alive and he will be with you always. Another great person leaves us from Sara Lee. He always had time to stop and talk to you with a smile on his face:) Godspeed, Sharon Carpenter
Dave was a great guy I worked with him many years at Sara Lee he could talk for hours about the dodgers a great baseball fan he will be missed .
So very sorry to hear of David’s passing. I have wonderful memories of his stories and laughter but most of all of the pride he felt in his family and wonderful grandchildren. God Bless All of You!! Kris Croatt
Love to Uncle Dave and Aunt Elaine and family. Dave, you will forever be in our hearts and spirits. With your incredible sense of humor and wit, you have shown us a path worth following…to love and live life with passion and a smile, and you did it well. We savor every moment spent with you and will miss you dearly.
Our deepest sympathy to your family. We have so many memories of Dave that we will always treasure. We are keeping you close to our hearts in thought and prayer.
The first thing that comes to mind when I think of my classmate and friend, David, is his love of telling and hearing a good story. He had a repository of them and knew how to spin a great yarn. My life is richer for having known Dave. Bill Sheridan
My deepest sympathy for the Croatt family. Dave was a great guy to work with at Sarah. He always took time to visit. He will be missed. Tom Junko
Our deepest sympathy Elaine & family. May you find peace and love in the memories you cherish. Bob & Rose Otters
DAVE & MARGE MAYO lit a candle in memory of David J. Croatt
ELAINE AND FAMILY, I WORKED WITH DAVE AT THE FERTILIZER PLANT IN JACKSON JUNCTION WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND LATER AT SARA LEE. WE HAD GREAT TIMES TOGEATHER AND WILL MISS HIM DEARLY. OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL. GOD BLESS YOU ALL MARGE & DAVE MAYO 1080 KELLY DR. NASHVILLE N.C. 27856
Dave been a long be nice to catch up with you alot of good memories
My sympathy to Elaine and the family. Dave was such a nice person and I always enjoyed visiting with him. I especially enjoyed the stories of Sara Lee and when he worked with my brother Jerry. They will be friends again in heaven…. Colleen & Paul Kruger
My sympathy to the Croatt family. My Husband Fred and I work with David many years at Sara Lee . He will be missed. Thoughts and prayers go to all of the family. Karen Rodemaker
Our sympathy to the Croatt family. Knew Dave from working at Sara Lee. Thoughts and prayers with the family.
Our sincerest sympathy to the Croatt family. Loved meeting Dave through Sara Lee. He always had a smiling face and usually a story to tell. Prayers to all the family.
Our sincerest sympathy to the Croatt family . . . it’s difficult to lose a friend and neighbor. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Pat and Jan Sheridan
Karen Hemesath lit a candle in memory of David J. Croatt