Mary Ann Crook

Mary Ann Crook

Nov. 7,1939 – Jan. 30, 2016

Mary Ann Crook was born Nov. 7, 1939, on the family farm south of Rising City. She was the daughter of Frank J. and Rosie L. (Konrad) Vavra. She attended the Greenleaf Country School through the eighth grade and then attended and graduated from Rising City Public Schools in 1957. On Jan. 11, 1958, she married Walter K. Crook, and to this union four children were born: Michael, Diane, Bruce and Denise.

During her lifetime, Mary Ann worked at Farmer’s State Bank, Becton-Dickinson, Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Services and Farmer’s Cooperative Elevator. Mary Ann co-owned the Rising City Dairy Queen, which many community members enjoyed. She also owned and operated Crook Lawn Service for 10 years and co-owned WMB Ag Sales for 15 years. Mary Ann, along with her husband, Walt, owned and managed Crook Addition Apartments from 1978-2002 and was instrumental in helping to develop the north edge of Rising City.

Mary Ann was a strong believer in county and community organizations. She was a member of the Friendship Club for more than 50 years, a member of the Coffee Club for 46 years and a member of the Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile for many years. Mary Ann also helped organize and was the first president of the Butler/Seward Porkettes Association. She then became the president of the Butler County Porkettes. Mary Ann also served on the Rising City Board of Education for 10 years.

Mary Ann was an excellent cook and baker and was known for her fantastic peach crisp and kolaches. She loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed gardening, canning and flowers. She also loved going to Husker football games and could be found many nights watching or listening to Husker volleyball and basketball games on the radio or TV. Mary Ann loved her children very much and enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with attending their school and sporting events and 4-H activities while they were growing up.

Mary Ann passed away peacefully at age 76 at Brookestone Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation on Jan. 30, 2016, with her family by her side. She fought a long and courageous battle with myelofibrosis.

She is remembered with love by her husband of 58 years, Walter; her three children and their spouses, Michael Crook of Rising City; Diane (Jeffrey) Duren of Rising City; and Denise (Doug) Tonniges of Gresham. Grandchildren are Daryl Crook of Rising City; Holly Crook of O’Neill; Shauna (Sam) Soulliere of Lincoln; Joni (John) Crumrine of Lincoln; Audra Duren of Chicago, Illinois; Stephanie Crook (fiancé Nathan Laska) of Duncan; Janice (Grant) Swenson of Des Moines, Iowa; Heather Crook (fiancé Kevin Kucera) of Cedar Bluffs; Sheila (Allen) Stanek of Valparaiso; Kayla Kilgore of Papillion; Eric Tonniges of Gresham; and Amber Tonniges of Gresham. Great-grandchildren are Quinn Soulliere, Ellie Ann Crumrine, Avery Lee Crumrine, Hudson Swenson and Brennan Swenson. Siblings are Helen Prochaska of Ulysses; Paul Vavra of Rising City; Dorothy (Ronald) Ruth of Rising City; Maxine Reinke of Columbus; and Doris (Randy) Henderson of Maricopa, Arizona, along with her brother-in-law, Alton Crook and his wife, Lois, of Fremont. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law, Linda (Terry) Bartunek and many nieces, nephews, family members and friends.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her parents; father-in-law, Keith Crook; mother-in-law, Gladys Crook; and son, Bruce Keith Crook.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016, at Kracl Funeral Chapel. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 5, at Faith Lutheran Church in Rising City, with the Rev. David Schultz officiating. Committal will follow at Circle Mound Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the family.