Walter K. Crook
Walter K. Crook
Nov. 6, 1939 – March 13, 2018
Walter K. Crook, 78, of David City, formerly of Rising City, died March 13, 2018, at the Butler County Community Health Care Center in David City.
Walter was born Nov. 6, 1939, in Columbus. He was the son of H. Keith and Gladys (Pool) Crook. He attended and graduated from Rising City Public Schools in 1957. On Jan. 11, 1958, he married Mary Ann Vavra, and to this union four children were born, Michael, Diane, Bruce and Denise. Walter and Mary Ann moved to the Walter Pool farm in April 1958, lived there for 51 years and then moved to Rising City in 2009.
During his lifetime, Walter worked at Behlen Manufacturing for a brief time and then returned to the farm to raise hogs and farm with his father, Keith, for many years, along with his sons Mike and Bruce. Walter and Mary Ann co-owned the Rising City Dairy Queen for the Rising City community members to enjoy. Walter also co-owned WMB Ag Sales for 15 years and, along with his wife, Mary Ann, owned and managed Crook Addition Apartments from 1978 to 2002. He was instrumental in helping to develop the north edge of Rising City.
In 1992, Walter was hired by Polk-Butler Mutual Insurance Company to be the CEO and retired in 2013 after 21 years of service. He was on the Nebraska Re-Insurance Board for many years and held many offices, ending in 2012 as president. He also was part of the State Association of Mutual Insurance Companies for 21 years, held many offices and finished as president.
In 1991, Walter was elected to the Butler County Public Power Board of Directors, serving for 26 years and retiring in January 2017. During his time on the board he served as chairman for two terms, totaling eight years. Walt served on the Building Committee when Butler PPD built its new facility in David City. He was extremely proud of the project and completion of the beautiful facility for Butler PPD. Walter was elected by the Nebraska Public Power Association to be on the board of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation in Washington, D.C. He served customers in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Wyoming. He served on that board for six years and retired in 2015.
Walter was involved in bringing Nebraska Rural TV to Butler and Seward counties. He was chairman of the board of Nebraska Rural TV for 10 years. Walter helped organize the Seward/Butler Pork Producers with his fellow hog-producing friends, and he served as the first president for that organization. Four years later the group dissolved and he became the first president of the Butler County Pork Producers. He served six years on the State Pork Producers Association as its first vice president. He also was a national convention delegate for six years.
Walter was active in the Rising City ball program and was instrumental, along with other community members, in moving the ball field in the early 1970s to the location where it stands today. He was a girls’ softball coach and an umpire for many games.
One of Walter’s strongest passions was 4-H. He was involved in 4-H throughout his childhood years, showing cattle and hogs. That led to him being a 4-H leader for his children and the Rising City Livestock Club. Walter and his wife, Mary Ann, never missed going to the Butler County Fair or any of their children’s or grandchildren’s 4-H events. They were one of the strongest supporters of the new Butler County Event Center at the fairgrounds in David City that was completed in 2017.
Walter was a Master Mason in Fidelity Lodge No. 51 of David City and received his 50-year pin in 2016. He was a member of the Sesostris Shriners and Pawnee Shrine Motor Corp., traveling to many parades across the Midwest and competing on obstacle courses. Their group won many awards for their riding skills. He also had been a member of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry since 1975.
In his free time, he loved the outdoors and farm life. He especially enjoyed gardening, with pride for his asparagus patch and yearly sweet corn patch. Walter was an extreme sports enthusiast and loved going to Husker football games. He could be found many nights watching or listening to Husker volleyball, basketball or baseball games on the radio or TV. Walter was extremely proud of his children and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and attending their school and sporting events and 4-H activities while they were growing up.
He is remembered by his three children and their spouses, Michael Crook of Rising City, Diane (Jeffrey) Duren of Rising City and Denise (Doug) Tonniges of Gresham; grandchildren, Daryl Crook of Rising City, Holly Crook of Milford, Shauna (Sam) Soulliere of Lincoln, Joni (John) Crumrine of Lincoln, Audra Duren of Chicago, Illinois, Stephanie Laska (Nathan) of Duncan, Janice (Grant) Swenson of Des Moines, Iowa, Heather Kucera (Kevin) of Cedar Bluffs, Sheila (Allen) Stanek of Valparaiso, Kayla Kilgore of Gresham, Eric Tonniges of Gresham and Amber Tonniges of Gresham; great-grandchildren, Quinn Soulliere, Cameron Soulliere, Ellie Ann Crumrine, Avery Lee Crumrine, Hudson Swenson and Brennon Swenson; sibling, Alton Crook of Fremont; brother-in-law, Paul Vavra of Rising City; sisters-in-law, Helen Prochaska of Ulysses, Dorothy (Ronald) Ruth of Rising City, Maxine Reinke of Columbus and Doris (Randy) Henderson of Maricopa, Arizona; daughter-in-law, Linda (Terry) Bartunek of Bruno; special friend, Marilyn Sanderson; and many nieces and nephews, family members and friends.
Walter was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann in 2016; son, Bruce Keith Crook in 1992; father-in-law, Frank J. Vavra; mother-in-law, Rosie L. (Konrad) Vavra; sister-in-law, Lois Crook; and brother-in-law, Ray Prochaska, Sr.
A funeral service was held March 19, 2018, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in David City, with the Rev. Matt Fowler officiating. Committal was in Circle Mound Cemetery in Rising City. Memorial contributions may be made to the family for future designation. Condolences may be sent to the family via Kracl Funeral Chapel at www.revbluejeans.com.
