Henry Crotteau

1930 - 2025

Henry Crotteau

December 11, 1930 - May 8, 2025

Henry Edmund "Skip or Hank" Crotteau, age 94, of Altoona, WI, passed away Thursday, May 8, 2025, at Mayo Hospital in Eau Claire, WI. Henry was born December 11, 1930, on the family farm east of Rice Lake, WI. Henry was the eleventh of thirteen children born to Henry and Eliza (Demers) Crotteau. Henry attended Whittier School, across from the family farm, and Rice Lake High School.

In January 1951, Henry enlisted in the Navy, where he served for four years. He was assigned to the USS Sanborn. Henry served during the Korean War and was honorably discharged from the Navy in December 1954.

Henry worked at Chippewa Motor Freight for twenty-four years, starting as a rate clerk and working his way up to terminal manager. Henry married Marjorie Baird on August 20, 1966, and they made their home in New Brighton, MN. They welcomed four children into their family. The family spent summers at the lake cabin in Sarona, WI. At the cabin Henry enjoyed fishing, picking berries, and in his younger days entertaining his brothers, sisters, nieces, and nephews. In his later years, he made memories with his own grandchildren, whom he loved dearly. Henry was also an avid Minnesota Vikings fan. He enjoyed deer hunting, gardening, and playing cards.

Chippewa Motor Freight moved their home office to Sioux Falls, SD, so Henry and Marjorie transferred to Sioux Falls, where they made their home for forty-two years. Henry went to work at American Western as traffic manager in 1980. While there, Henry started American Western's own transportation department, AWC Transportation. After American Western was bought out in 1989, Henry decided to purchase Siouxland Forklift in March 1990. He operated the business for thirty-one years until he retired in June 2021 at age 91. After retirement, Henry and Marjorie moved to Altoona, WI, where the road trip to the cabin was shorter, but the time spent there was longer.

Henry is survived by his wife Marjorie, and their children: Denise Crotteau of Altoona, WI; Peter Crotteau of Sioux Falls, SD; Kurt (Nikki) Crotteau of Eau Claire, WI; Patrice Crotteau of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren: Connor Denevan, Ryan Crotteau, Emily Denevan, and Ayva Crotteau; brother-in-law: Donald (Winnifred) Baird; sisters-in law: Gloria Baird and Lillian Baird.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Eliza Crotteau; siblings Georgiana, Lucille, Harvey, Lloyd, Norman, Edna, Bernice, Cecelia, Ella Mae, Raymond, Robert, and Mary Jane; grandson, Tylor Crotteau; brothers-in-law: John Baird, William Baird, Edward Baird.

A Mass for Henry will take place at 10:30 am on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1812 Lynn Avenue, Altoona, WI 54720 with Father Greg Bohren officiating. Visitation will take place at the church Wednesday morning from 9:30 am until the time of service. Interment with military honors will take place in the Northern Wisconsin Veteran's Cemetery in Spooner, Wisconsin immediately following the mass at 2 pm.

Friends and family may offer condolences online at www.hulkefamilyfh.com.

Hulke Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 3209 Rudolph Road, Eau Claire, WI 54701 is assisting the family with the arrangements.