Dennis A. Croatt 61 of rural Granville, Iowa passed away on Tuesday February 25, 2014 as a result of traffic accident near Sibley,Iowa.
Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M.Saturday March 1, 2014 at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Primghar with Father Tim Hogan officiating with burial at a later date at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery at Hospers.
Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 P.M. with the family present and a scripture wake service at 7 P.M. Friday all at the St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Primghar. The Eldridge Family Funeral Home of Paullina is in charge of arrangements.
Dennis Anthony Croatt was born January 28, 1953 in LeMars, Iowa to David and Jane (Full) Croatt of Sibley, Iowa. The oldest of ten Croatt children, Dennis graduated from Sibley High School in 1971, and immediately set himself up in Northwest Iowa for his lifelong love of farming. On June 2, 1973, he was happily united in marriage to Mary Margaret (Shea) Croatt at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Granville, Iowa. The couple remained together for 40 years, with 32 of those years spent in the communities around Paullina, Iowa. There they raised their four children, Carrie, Nathan, Joshua and Matthew.
Dennis (Denny) was a jack of all trades and was known for ‘Croattizing’ many a piece of equipment. He worked several jobs throughout his career, the longest being in the Maintenance Department at Wells Blue Bunny in LeMars, Iowa. Through his years of working for other companies, Denny kept his full time job of farming. He would spend his days working his fields around the Paullina, Gaza, and Hospers areas and in Minnesota. For Denny farming was a labor of love, and thoroughly enjoyed how much it involved family. He would often be seen working with his father, Dave, uncle, Gerald, brother, Daniel, and especially his boys, Nathan, Joshua and Matthew.
When not working, which was rare, Denny enjoyed traveling to farm sales, antique shops, and flea markets with the other love of his life; his wife, Mary. For Denny, family and friends were everything. He enjoyed hosting and attending gatherings where his distinctive and infectious laughter could be heard above the crowds. Denny loved to socialize and celebrate. He loved a good story. He especially loved the times when his 9 grandchildren would come to visit and find Grandpa ready to walk around the acreage, let them “help” with chores, go for a ride in Big Red, entertain them with his hook, or play a hand of cards. Even after losing Mary in September of 2013, Denny maintained his social calendar and never turned down an opportunity to visit. His laughter, friendliness and good nature will be forever missed.
Left to cherish Denny’s memory are his children; Carrie and her husband, Aaron Moore of Boise, ID; Nathan and his wife, Jennifer of Cloverdale, IA; Joshua and his wife, Ashley of Hospers, IA and Matthew and his wife, Jodi of Glenwood, IA; nine grandchildren, Elliott, Madeline, Anthony, Keaton, Aubrey, Marnie, Shelby, Jacob and Joshua; his parents, David and Jane Croatt; and his siblings Connie (Joel) Marco, Daniel (Sandy) Croatt, Julie (Pat) Eddy, Nick (Val) Croatt, Margie (Ripper) Stevens, Rich (Carla) Croatt, Bob (Maria) Croatt, Bill (Dawn) Croatt and Nancy (Neil) Wozney. He also leaves behind many in-laws, nieces and nephews on the Croatt and Shea sides.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary.
