Laurence Cratty 1922-2006

CRATTY, WISHART, BURNS, MCGILL

Posted By: volunteer (email)
Date: 8/13/2006 at 10:21:40

Laurence Cratty, 84, of Wapello, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006, at his home.

Born June 14, 1922, in Rose Hill, he was the son of Lloyd and Hazel Wishart Cratty Sr. On Feb. 1, 1947, he married Mary Louise Burns.

Mr. Cratty started work in the Ottumwa Iron Works in Ottumwa after fours years in the Navy. He attended school in Ottumwa and went into the Navy after he graduated. He served as chief petty officer on the USS Cabot. He and his wife moved to Cedar Rapids, where he started work for Iowa Steel and Iron Works, which he eventually bought and became the CEO of until his retirement in 1995 when it closed.

He was an avid duck hunter and supporter of Ducks Unlimited. He also enjoyed fishing and all kinds of hunting and nature in general, especially bird watching. He donated land to the DNR to establish a wild bird sanctuary in Wapello at Sand Run. He served two terms as a director on the Amana Society Board in the Amana Colonies. He was very involved with the development of the PGA golf course and the Amana Nursing Home in the Amana Colonies. He was a member of the Elks, Masonic Temple and the El Kahir Shriners (Jesters). He also enjoyed his pets.

Survivors include his wife; one daughter, Cherri McGill of Wapello; two grandchildren; and one brother, Lloyd Cratty Jr. of Ottumwa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, one brother and one sister.

Visitation will be from noon to 7 p.m. Thursday at Reece Funeral Home in Ottumwa, with family meeting friends from 5 to 7 p.m.

The funeral for Mr. Cratty will be 1 p.m. Friday at Reece Funeral Home, with the Rev. John Spiegel officiating.

Burial will be in Shaul Cemetery, with military services conducted by Walter B. Schafer Post 775 Veterans of Foreign Wars and OB Nelson Post 3 American Legion.

Memorials have been established for the Wild Bird Sanctuary in Wapello at Sand Run and Iowa City Hospice Inc.

Hawk Eye Aug. 2, 2006