Elizabeth Crogan

CROGAN, Elizabeth M.

Elizabeth “Betty” M. (Gerdes) Crogan, 92, of La Crosse passed away peacefully on February 28, 2015 at Bethany St. Joseph Care Center, La Crosse. She was born on November 15, 1922, to Frank and Emma Clements. She married George Gerdes and lived on the Gerdes family homestead on North Ridge in La Crescent, MN. They had 3 children, Leslie, Phyllis and Donald. They later divorced.

In 1975, she married Henry H. Crogan and moved to Ettrick (French Creek) where they farmed very happily for many years. Betty was very passionate about the outdoors and loved gardening. She was an excellent homemaker! She also was a volunteer at Mayo Clinic for many years and made A LOT of lifelong friends there. Betty’s second home was the Harry J. Olson Senior Center where she was a lifelong member, being very active there, volunteering whenever she could. Even after her stroke, she would ride her scooter there, never to miss a good card game.

Betty is survived by her children: Leslie Gerdes, Phyllis (Terry Harpstreith) Bey, and Donald (Theresa) Gerdes. One grandson; Jonathon (Jon) Gerdes (Stacy), her sisters: Caroline Peterson, Judie Anderson, her brother, Robert Clements, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Henry H. Crogan, Grandson Jordan Henry Gerdes, and her brothers, Ernest, George, and Leo Clements.

You will be in our hearts “Forever” Mom and Grandma! We miss and love you!

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, March 9, 2015, at St. James the Less Catholic Church, 1032 Caledonia St., on the north side of La Crosse. Rev. Del Malin will officiate with burial to be held in St. Bridget’s Cemetery in Ettrick, WI. Family and friends may call from 3 to 5:00 PM, Sunday, March 8, 2015, with a rosary to be held at 4:45, at Blaschke & Schneider Funeral Homes, Nelson Chapel, 1007 Caledonia Street, on the north side of La Crosse. Family and friends may also call from 10:00 AM until the time of Mass on Monday.