Obituary: Gloria Mae (Koenecke) Crawford
Gloria Mae (Koenecke) Crawford, age 87, passed away November 29, 2024 at Our House Assisted Living in Reedsburg. She was born September 2, 1937 to Walter and Esther (Gundlach) Koenecke in the Town of Excelsior, Sauk County, Wisconsin.
Gloria was a 1955 graduate of Reedsburg High School. On July 7, 1969, she was united in marriage to Thomas E. Crawford in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. During their marriage, they lived in Wisconsin, Florida, Texas and Arizona. She worked a variety of jobs in her lifetime including at Reedsburg Egg Company, she also ran a taxi service and managed a hotel. While living in Bullhead, AZ, she was a cashier at a Laughlin, NV casino. Following Tom’s death, she returned to Reedsburg and was employed at Ho-Chunk Casino as a cashier. She loved dogs and ran a dog care business for six years during her retirement.
Gloria was a member of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Reedsburg, where she had been baptized and confirmed. When living in Reedsburg, she was an active member of St John where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday School for many years, served as Sunday School superintendent, helped with funeral luncheons and belonged to a Bible study circle.
She also enjoyed volunteering at the Reedsburg Area Medical Center and was recognized for 1500 hours of service. In her spare time, she enjoyed reading and many crafts, especially embroidering. Gloria was an avid Packer and Badger fan.
Gloria is survived by a special nephew Steven Skinner and his family; a very special great-grandnephew William Caden Skinner. Additionally, she is survived by her nephew Keith (Tammy) Koenecke and five nieces Linda (Larry) Williams, Kathleen Koenecke, Geri (Larry) Gorman, Susan (Will) Abel and Kristine Koenecke (Greg Ketelsen); a sister-in-law Barbara (Michael) Donnelly; brother-in-law Robert Crawford; step daughter Mary Adamczyk; special friend, Sue Peterson; along with other relatives and friends.
Gloria was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Tom on September 23, 1993; her siblings and their spouses, LaVerne (Herbert) Phelan, James (Wilma) Koenecke, Ruby Koenecke, Kenneth (LaVonne) Koenecke and Evelyn (William) Skinner; a dear nephew Lenny Koenecke; a brother-in-law Donald Crawford and sisters-in-law Patricia Horton and Constance Batty.
Funeral services for Gloria Crawford were held at 12:30 PM on Saturday, December 7, 2024, at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, Reedsburg, with Pastor Kris Totzke officiating. A visitation was held from 11:30 AM, until the time of the service. Burial was made at Wood National Cemetery, Milwaukee, WI.
Memorials may be made to St John Ev. Lutheran Church, Reedsburg. Online condolences may be made at www.grassefs.com. Grasse Funeral & Cremation Service in Reedsburg is serving the family.
