Ray E. Crouse

Ray Eugene Crouse, 92, of Fort Dodge, passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022, at Trinity Regional Medical Center. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, December 16th at Holy Trinity Church with Msgr. Kevin McCoy officiating the Mass of Christian Burial with a visitation at the church from 9:30 to 10:30 AM. Burial will follow at St. James Cemetery near Clare with Military Rites conducted by the V.F.W. Post 1856 and the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard. Visitation will also be held on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM with a K of C. Rosary at 7:00 PM all at Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Survivors include his sons Kevin Crouse of Fort Dodge, Kenneth Crouse of Storm Lake, daughter Kathleen Thorson and her husband Alan of Fort Dodge, Robert Crouse of Fort Dodge, Bill Crouse and his wife Brenda of Fort Dodge, Duane Crouse of Fort Dodge, Dana Crouse and his wife Tammie of Fort Dodge, John Crouse and his wife Michelle of Winterset, Jane Crouse of Fort Dodge, Pauline Hunter and her husband Dennis of Fort Dodge, Marth Norman and her husband David of Fort Dodge, 13 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, brother Dick Crouse and his wife Annette of Pella, IA, sister Linda Gibbs of Fort Dodge, sister-in-law Lorraine Crouse of Fort Dodge. He was preceded in death by his wife Jane, daughter Janet Crouse, parents Gilbert and Evelyn (Cahill) Crouse, grandson Steven Crouse, sister Ella May Zuck, and brother Wayne Crouse. Ray Eugene Crouse was born on December 6, 1930, in rural Evanston, IA. He attended little one room schools in Webster County. The family moved to Clare in 1941. In 1945, Ray joined the Catholic Church and attended St. Matthews Catholic School in Clare. He then went to Barnum for 11th and 12th grades and graduated in 1949. Ray joined the U.S. Air Force on December 10, 1950 and was honorably discharged in on December 10, 1954. Ray married Jane Ann Crowley on March 1, 1954, at the Catholic Church at Ellington Air Force Base. The couple made their home in Fort Dodge where they raised their 12 children of which there were 3 sets of twins. Ray worked at U.S. Gypsum, then 7 plus years at the Fort Dodge Creamery, and then 26 years at Crouse Cartage Co. until her retired in 1989. He then worked 1 year at CertainTeed Gypsum and 2 years at Friendship Haven. He drove semi-truck for Crouse and went to the State Truck Driving contest 4 times and won 1st place 3 times. He also went to the Nationals several times placing as high as 3rd. In the Air Force Ray was a pilot in training and learned to fly. At times he was in the Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, Golden K., Fort Dodge American Legion, Minister of Holy Communion, usher, and greeter at church, and took communion to the Marian Home, hospital, and shut ins. Ray was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight and as the District Deputy for the K.C.'s. He won the following awards, 20 years safe driving from Crouse Cartage Co., 2019 Veteran of the Year Award from the American Legion, The Lumen Christi Award from the church and may other awards for works of charity. Laufersweiler Funeral Home is serving the family. Visitation Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Rosary Thu, Dec 15, 2022 at 7:00 pm - 7:15 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Mass Fri, Dec 16, 2022 at 10:30 am Holy Trinity Church 2501 6th Avenue North Fort Dodge, IA 50501