Croston, Louis H. 1908-2003

CROSTON, HANSEN, SURBER

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 4/30/2007 at 14:44:59

Louis H. Croston, 94, of Sioux City died Thursday, Feb. 13, 2003 at a Sioux City nursing home.

Memorial services will be 10:30 a.m. Monday at Grace United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Valerie Haller officiating. The body was cremated and a graveside service will be 9:30 a.m. Monday in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be 4 to 6 p.m. today at the church. Larkin Northside Funeral Home is handling arrangements.

Louis was born Dec. 2, 1908 in rural James, Iowa, the son of Charles and Minnie (Hansen) Croston. He attended Hinton Public Schools, graduating from Hinton High School in 1926. He attended Morningside College where he participated in football and basketball, graduating in 1930. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, based in Okinawa. After discharge, he was recalled for service in 1950, teaching in the Navy Electronic School on Treasure Island, Calif.

Louis married Hazel Ann Surber on Oct. 8, 1932 in Omaha, Neb. Hazel died on Feb. 27, 1989 in Sioux City. The couple lived in San Diego, Calif. for two years, returning to Sioux City in 1934. He was employed at Swift & Co. in 1934, working first as a receiving clerk and later in the Time Study Department. He left Swifts in 1957 and entered the employment of Morningside College, first as an Admissions Counselor, then as Alumni Director and later, as Associate Director of Estate Planning. From 1969 to 1970 he served as Vice President of Sioux Empire College in Hawarden, Iowa. He returned to Morningside College as Director of Student Financial Aid, retiring in 1974.

Louis was a longtime member of Grace United Methodist Church, serving as church school teacher, head user, chairman of the Board of Trustees, chairman of the Official Board, Church School superintendent, vice chairman of the Building Committee for the building of the present church structure and appeared in "Who's Who in the Methodist Church." He was a member of the Morningside Kiwanis Club, was its first president and later served as a lieutenant governor. He was in scouting for 27 years, serving as a Cub Master, an Assistant Scoutmaster, Explorer Advisor, District Chairman of the River Trails District of the Sergeant Floyd Area Council, a member of the Sergeant Floyd Area Council Executive Committee and was awarded the Silver Beaver in 1968. He was president of the Knife & Fork Club, a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board for over 30 years and is a life member. He wrote and published a Grace Church history for the church's 100th anniversary. Louis will be remembered for his love of life, family and friends and children.

Survivors include two sons and their wives, Donald S. and Judy of Bellevue, Neb. and Craig and Mary of Sioux City; six grandchildren, Craig Croston, Scott Croston and his wife, Theresa, Beth Hansen and her husband, Ron, Steven and Melayne Croston, David and Kimberlee Croston and Jeffrey and Elizabeth Croston; 13 great-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a sister, Florence Anderson of Sioux City.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Orval.

Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren.

A memorial has been established in his name for the Grace United Methodist Church.

[Part of the Darrell Easton Obituary Collection; source: Sioux City Journal]