Bernadine H. Crooks, 84, Mineral Point, died Tuesday, November 9, 1999 at Memorial Hospital of Iowa County in Dodgeville following a brief illness. She was born August 9, 1915 in Argyle, the daughter of Joseph and Fanny (Mitchell) Kurth. She married Albert Crooks on February 2, 1934; he preceded her in death on December 12, 1980. They farmed for many years in different locations in the early 1950’s before moving to Mineral Point. She then worked at Burgess Battery in Mineral Point until it closed in the 1950’s. She also worked at Pre-Pack in Monroe. She cooked in numerous eating establishments in Mineral Point and babysat for many families in the area.

Survivors include one daughter, Dottie (Ronald) Tallman, Ridgeway; two sons, Larry (Donna) Crooks, Muskogee, Oklahoma and Albert (Ruth) Crooks Jr., Dodgeville; one brother, Darwin Kurth, Darlington; one sister, Walberga Runnels, Benton, Illinois; fourteen grandchildren, one step-granddaughter, twenty-one great-grandchildren and ten step-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her six sisters; three brothers; two daughters, Marjorie Crooks and Beverly Reger; one son-in-law, Dale Reger, and one great-granddaughter, Brittany Kieffer.

A funeral service was held at 11 am Friday, November 12 at the United Methodist Church in Mineral Point. Rev. David Seaton officiated with interment in Graceland Cemetery in Blanchardville. The Gorgen funeral Home in Mineral Point assisted the family.

She will be remembered for her deep love of cooking for others: rosettes, pasty, deep fried beer battered fish, banana cream pie and cookies of all kinds. She had a zest for life and enjoyed life to the fullest. Anyone who knew her knew of her love of Bingo and a chance of winning the “big one”. Her door was always open and the coffee was always on. We’re sure she will be serving everyone up in Heaven.

Source: Democrat Tribune, Nov 18, 1999 – page 12
(JnJSchober)