Norman 'Gene' E. Crouch

Norman E. Gene', son of George L. and Leva Ora (McCracken) Crouch was born on August 18, 1929 at Bayard, Iowa. He attended school in Bayard and then began working for area farmers. In 1946 Gene enlisted in the U.S. Army and served at Fort Knox for two years. After his honorable discharge he returned to the Coon Rapids and Bayard area and worked as a truck driver for Garst and Thomas Seed Company. On March 18, 1950 Gene was united in marriage with Geneva Herron in Des Moines. Gene continued to work as a truck driver for the Highway Post and in 1965 the family moved to Rose Creek, Minnesota. In 1968, Gene took a job as traffic manager for Fort Dodge Transportation and in 1969 the family moved to Fort Dodge, Iowa. Gene then drove for Bush Hog for 20 years, before moving to Bayard in 1989 and retiring from the company in 1991. After his retirement Gene remained busy, working odd jobs and raising cattle. In his spare time he enjoyed gardening, playing cards and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a past member of the Odd Fellows. On June 1, 2010 Gene suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. After returning home for one day, he returned to Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson, Iowa where he died on June 27, 2010 at the age of 80 years, 10 months and 9 days. Gene was preceded in death by his parents; wife Geneva Crouch in 2005; brothers Walter Crouch and Russell Crouch; and sisters: Dorothy Lohman, Mildred Cloe, Lucille Chester, Lila Pierce and Jeanette Griffin. He is survived by his children: James Crouch of Ft. Dodge; Karen and husband Robert Patrick of Bayard; Virginia and husband Larry Feeley of Ft. Dodge; Terry Crouch and wife Joyce of Wilmington, NC; Scott Crouch and wife Carla of Wilimington, NC; Jon Crouch and wife Pamela of Ft. Dodge; Ann and husband Paul Porter of Ft. Dodge and Jim Morgan of Denver, IA; 19 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Naomi Kepple and Mildred Herron both of Bayard; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Music "Amazing Grace" "How Great Thou Art" "Take My Life and Let It Be" Congregation Patti Patrick, Organist Casketbearers (Grandsons) James Crouch Shawn Lyons Kyle Patrick Jared Patrick Ryan Feeley Brandon Feeley Tyler Crouch Riley Crouch Jake Porter Honorary Casketbearers (Granddaughters) Jennifer Cure Jill Crouch Carrie Feeley Ashley Crouch Marci Crouch Haley Crouch Logan Crouch Tarin Crouch Payton Crouch Jozie Porter