William Croft (1857-1932)

CROFT, BASSETT, SCHONHORST

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 8/21/2020 at 10:15:52

From Nevada Evening Journal April 11, 1932 (page 4)

Croft Funeral at Slater on Friday

Special to the Journal.
Slater, April 11--Funeral services for William Croft were held Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home and 2:30 o'clock at the Methodist church. The services were in charge of his pastor Rev. G. C. Swain, who paid a fine tribute to the departed friend. Mrs. Nels Sabo, Mrs. R. C. Hedlund and Miss Laura Nott had charge of the flowers. An unusually large number of beautiful floral offerings were placed near the casket and altar. The Slater faculty and school children presented a large Bible to the church as a memorial in loving memory of Mr. Croft who served as janitor in the schools the past five years. School was dismissed for the afternoon and the teachers and children attended in a body. The duets "No Night There," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" and "Abide With Me" were sung by Mrs. M. S. Heggen and Mrs. A. L. Peterson. The pall bearers were S. O. Wald, John Nielson, Lewis Soderland, H. L. Peterson, P. L. Nelson and A. A. Chader. Burial was made in the city cemetery.

William Croft was born in Victoria, Ill., Jan. 5, 1857 and died at his home here April 6, 1932, at the age of 75 years, 3 months and 1 day. His parents were Eric and Martha Croft. In 1868 he came with his parents to Iowa and settled in Garden Prairie. For a number of years he worked in Colorado for a railroad company as a surveyor. Later he came to Des Moines where he lived till in 1888 when he came to Slater. His marriage to Miss Cecie Bassett took place Nov 29, 1890. He was converted and united with the Methodist church in 1895 and since that time has been one of its most faithful and active members. Mr. Croft was one of the best known most highly respected citizens of this community He was beloved by all. For 19 years he was engaged in business here in the firm known at Peterson and Croft with Elie Peterson as partner. He was also interested in the Slater Mercantile Co. and Peoples Store. He is survived by his wife and one son LeRoy Croft of Toledo, two grandchildren William Bruce and Charlotte Ann Croft, three brothers Ed of Slater, Fred and John of Sheldahl, a niece, Mrs. Gladys Schonhorst who made her home with them after the death of her parents. He also leaves a large number of relatives and friends. It was one of the largest funerals ever held in the church.

Among those from a distance who attended the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Croft and children of Toledo, Guy L. Bassett of Colorado Springs, Mrs. Joe Frundie of Lemmon, S. D., Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Graves, Mrs. Elmer Soderland of Madrid, Mr. and Mrs. George Stevenson of Des Moines, Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Robins, Mr. and Mrs. Will Buche of Ames, Mrs. Lizzie Anderson of Albin, Wyo., and Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Hottle of Nevada.