Leona Croatt

     A mass of Christian  burial was held at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, Iowa at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 28, 2020 for Leona Croatt.  Rev. Aaron Junge officiated. Interment was at St. Luke’s Catholic Cemetery. Schluter–Balik Funeral Home, Decorah, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.

Leona Croatt, age 99, of St. Lucas, IA, died on Friday, February 21, 2020 at Aase Haugen Senior Services in Decorah, IA

     Leona Barbara (Huber) Croatt was born on June 10, 1920 the daughter of Leo and Barbara (Sluka) Huber in Fort Atkinson, IA.  She attended St. John Catholic School and graduated from Fort Atkinson High School.  She was united in marriage to Linus Croatt on June 9, 1941 at St. John’s in Fort Atkinson.  Together they had two children: Joyce and Victor.  She and Linus farmed together for thirty years before moving to town in 1971.  Leona was diagnosed with MS at only thirty-five 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, IA.  Grandchildren: Bev (Gary) Rustad, Decorah, IA; Brian (Kelli) Drilling, Waucoma, IA; Tom (Chris) Drilling, St. Lucas, IA; Laura (Steve) Busta, Fort Atkinson, IA; Greg (Jess) Drilling, Waucoma, IA; Bill (Stacy) Croatt, Lena, IL; Gina (Joel) Smith, Fort Atkinson, IA; Jamie (Courtney) Croatt, Slater, IA and Katie (Nick Wemark) Croatt, Fort Atkinson, IA.  Twenty-one 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 (Alfred) 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.