Rev. Gene W. Crooks

Rev. Gene W. Crooks, 73, of Abrams, Wis., died Thursday, Dec. 2, 2004. He was born March 1, 1931, in Oconto, Wis., and was raised in Green Bay, Wis. His parents were Stanley Crooks and Mae (Porter) Crooks Norgaard. He graduated from Green Bay East High School in 1949, and later graduated from Beloit College. He received his Masters Degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary (Presbyterian Church USA) in 1964. Rev. Crooks' first church assignment was in Marengo, Iowa. He served as a Presbyterian Minister for 40 years, serving churches in Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Rev. Crooks also ministered as Director of Substance Abuse Centers in Iowa, Illinois and New Mexico. His most recent assignment was as Parish Associate at First Presbyterian Church in Green Bay. Rev. Crooks was honorably retired from the Winnebago Presbytery. All who knew Gene knew he was an avid Packer fan. He enjoyed the North woods of Wisconsin, The Boundary Waters, and he enjoyed candle making. He was also an environmentalist and loved to travel.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia; a son and daughter-in-law, Gregg W. and Barbara Crooks, Ill., two daughters and sons-in-law, Loreilyn and Steve Rowe, Kan.; Ginger and Tom Rasmussen, Iowa; a foster son, Dave Davis and his fiancée, Shelly, Fla.; three step-children and their husbands, Susan Anderson and her fiancé, Mike, Minn.; Julie and Mike Dally, Minn.; Vicki and Capt. James Hayes, Texas; 14 grandchildren; his aunts and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-father, Arthur Norgaard. Family will receive friends at First Presbyterian Church, 200 S. Ashland Ave., Green Bay, Wis., from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, and also from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 6. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the church with the Rev. Dr. Steve Shive officiating. The Crooks family wishes to express their gratitude to the Deacons at First Presbyterian Church and the staff of the ICU at Aurora BayCare.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in his name. Blaney Funeral Home, Green Bay, Wis., is assisting the family.