James Croatt

James Croatt, age 97, of West Union, IA, formerly of St. Lucas, IA, died on Sunday, July 15, 2012, at the Palmer Lutheran Health Center, in West Union, IA. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, July 21, 2012, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA, with Rev. Nick March presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call after 11:00 a.m., at the church on Saturday morning. The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests the memorials may be given in memory of James, to the Palmer Hospice, 112 Jefferson Street, West Union, IA 52175. James Mathias Croatt was born on July 15, 1915, the son of Jacob Croatt and Mary Riha on the family farm near St. Lucas, IA. James attended St. Luke’s Catholic School in St. Lucas and then went on to farm his entire life, until he retired in 1979. James married Verena Rausch on May 7, 1940, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA, and they celebrated their seventy-second wedding anniversary this year. They were the parents of nine children: Elaine, Ken, Phyllis, Janice, Lorraine, Melvin, Roger, Karen and Susan. James volunteered as the caretaker of St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery for over twenty-two years, which he finally gave up a little over five years ago. James enjoyed playing cards, woodworking, going fishing and making his yard a spot for bird watching and relaxing. He especially treasured spending time with his family. James also had a great sense of humor and a smile for everybody. He was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa. Those left to celebrate his life include his wife: Verena Croatt, West Union, IA. Eight children: Elaine Holthaus, Dubuque, IA; Phyllis (Mark) Gully, Cape Coral, FL; Janice (Gary) Mihm, West Union, IA; Lorraine (Ron) Holthaus, Decorah, IA; Melvin (Jo Beth) Croatt, St. Paul, MN; Roger (Tracy) Croatt, St. Lucas, IA; Karen Born, Rochester, MN; and Susan Croatt, Maquoketa, IA, along with sixteen grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren. Three brothers: Leonard (Millie) Riha, Madison, WI; Francis (Jeannie) Riha, Waucoma, IA; and Dan (Shirley) Riha, Waucoma, IA. Five sisters: Barbara (Jim) Jirak, Little Turkey, IA; Sis Wurzer, Waucoma, IA; Louise Dietzenbach, St. Lucas, IA; Irene Franzen, St. Lucas, IA; and Rosemary (Laverne) Franzen, St. Lucas, IA. Sisters and brothers-in-law: Agnes Riha, Decorah, IA; Mary Riha, Cresco, IA; Herbert (Christine) Rausch, Fort Atkinson, IA; Laura Kuboushek, Calmar, IA; and Darlys Rausch, Fort Atkinson, IA. James was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father; Frank Riha, one son; Kenneth Croatt on Dec. 17, 1994, two sons-in-law; Ken Holthaus on Feb. 1, 2010 and Mike Born on April 12, 2010. Other deceased family members include: Edward Riha, Matt Riha, Loretta and Alex Rausch, Angela and Bill Brannon, Mildred and Herbert Dietzenbach, Edwin Wurzer, Ed Dietzenbach, Al Franzen, Carl and Helen Rausch, Hermina and Arnold Boeding, Donald Rausch and Robert Kuboushek.