Leona Croatt

Monday, March 2, 2020 5:51 pm

Leona Croatt, 99, of St. Lucas, died Friday, Feb. 21, 2020, at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah. Mass of Christian burial was at 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 28, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, in St. Lucas, with Rev. Aaron Junge presiding. Burial was in the church cemetery. Visitation was from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church and also after 9:30 a.m., at the church Friday morning. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home handled ar-rangements. Organist was Kathy Meyer. Soloist was Lynette Wheeler. St. Luke’s Choir sang “Here I Am Lord,” “On Eagles Wings,” “Prayer of St. Francis,” “Ave Maria” and “How Great Thou Art.” Lector was Jamie Croatt. Eucharis-tic ministers were Sheila Reicks and Sue Franzen. Offertory gift bearers were Laura Busta and Gina Smith. Mass servers were Sayler Drilling, Brennen Drilling, Ella Drilling. Interment was at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery. Arrangements by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

Leona Barbara (Huber) Croatt was born June 10, 1920, the daughter of Leo and Barbara (Sluka) Huber in Fort At-kinson. She attended St. John Catholic School and graduated from Fort Atkinson High School. She was united in mar-riage to Linus Croatt June 9, 1941, at St. John’s in Fort Atkinson. Together they had two children, Joyce and Victor. She and Linus farmed together for 30 years before moving to town in 1971. Leona was diagnosed with MS at only 35 years old. She enjoyed dancing in her early years, card parties, music, visits from her family and friends. According to her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, she made the best snickerdoodles and sugar cookies around. She always made sure she had some on hand along with ice cream treats. Leona was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church, Catholic Order of Foresters and the Rosary Society. She prayed the rosary twice a day almost all of her life.

Leona is survived by her son, Victor (Mary) Croatt, St. Lucas; grandchildren: Bev (Gary) Rustad, Decorah; Brian (Kelli) Drilling, Waucoma; Tom (Chris) Drilling, St. Lucas; Laura (Steve) Busta, Fort Atkinson; Greg (Jess) Drilling, Waucoma; Bill (Stacy) Croatt, Lena, Ill.; Gina (Joel) Smith, Fort Atkinson; Jamie (Courtney) Croatt, Slater; and Katie (Nick Wemark) Croatt, Fort Atkinson; 21 great-grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren, along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Linus Croatt; daughter, Joyce (Loras) Drilling; grandson, Robert John Croatt; parents, Leo and Barbara (Sluka) Huber; brother, Philip (Eleanor) Huber; sisters: Mary Mattes, Monica (Al-fred) Nienhaus, Dorothy (Leo) Schmitz, Catherine (John) Foreman and Rose (Verdie) Crogveek; father and mother-in-law, Victor Sr. (Mary) Croatt; brothers and sisters-in-law: Nick (Eleanor) Croatt, John (Blanche) Croatt, Rita (Joe) Martin and Angeline (Hubert) Wenthold.

Leona’s family would like to thank all the staff at Aase Haugen for such compassion and care they showed her while she was a resident there. The girls will always remember her singing “You are my Sunshine” as she rolled down the hall to her room.