Maurice “Bill” Crow

Maurice William “Bill” Crow, 87, of rural Truro passed away on the evening of Aug. 3, 2017, in Norwalk, Iowa.

Services were held 10:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, at Kale Funeral Home in Osceola. The Rev. Kenneth Briggs officiated. The family greeted friends from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Kale Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Young Cemetery at a later date. Memorial contributions may be directed to Truro or New Virginia fire and rescue departments. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.kalefuneralhome.com.

Bill was the only son and third child born to Howard and Irene (Bates) Crow. He was born Aug. 11, 1929, at home in Martensdale. He grew up in and around Martensdale and graduated from high school there in 1946.

Bill was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean conflict. Eventually he was stationed near Ulm, Germany, as a clerk at the base. He made several trips to the local German administrative offices and that was where he met Lore Holzberger. As you say, the “rest is history”.

Lore travelled to the United States and she and Bill were married Aug. 21, 1953, in Martensdale. The first years of their married life were spent farming near Martensdale. Bill also worked a few years at Solar Aircraft in Des Moines. All of their children were born while they lived in Martensdale: Lesa, Steve, Jim and Debby. It seemed that little house grew too small, and in 1960, Bill and Lore moved the family to a farm 4 miles east of Truro in Virginia Township of Warren County. This is where they still lived at Bill’s passing. All the children graduated from I-35 School District — both Bill and Lore were avid followers, supporters and helpers of their children’s sports, music, Scouts, church and other activities such as boating and vacations. Bill was also a charter member of the Truro Lions Club.

Bill was always busy with farming and cattle. But, caring for his cats gave him joy. He and Lore enjoyed square dancing and camping, and eventually started going to Texas for the winter, where Bill got to practice his pool shots. They did this until just a couple of winters ago. Bill enjoyed his retirement; he played cards: pinochle, bridge, 500, cribbage and euchre; he went to the meal site for lunch in Martensdale and, of course, activities of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Bill is survived by his wife of almost 64 years, Lore, Lesa and Greg Juday of Newburg, Maryland, Steve and Donna Crow of Truro, Jim and Pam Crow of Truro and Debby and Brad Athy of Saint Charles. His memories will be cherished by his 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Surviving are also two sisters, Thelma Powers of Urbandale and Betty Dooley of Martensdale.