Robert T. Crook, 95, was called to glory on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He was born on November 5, 1929, to Theodore and Alice (Warner) Crook in Jump River, Wisconsin. Robert was baptized on September 1, 1933. He was a member of the New Lisbon Graduating Class of 1949. After high school, Robert was drafted into the United States Army proudly serving his county during the Korean War. He was united in Marriage to Katheline Slater on October 7, 1952, in Waukon, Iowa. She preceded him in death on November 1, 2014. Robert worked at many places during his lifetime, he served at Camp McCoy, worked driving an egg truck and raising chickens for Tillman’s Produce, the Callaway Bag Company, driving semi for H&B Wood Shavings, as a stockman for the Burnstad’s Grocery Store, at the Danville Grain Mill in Illinois, as a delivery man for Ranney’s Dairy, he owned and operated Robert Crook Lath Products and did mossing, and as a Nursing Aid for the Department of Veterans Affairs - Tomah VA Medical Center, where he retired after 30 years.
Robert was mischievous and enjoyed being the center of attention. He was also kind, caring and had a strong faith. He liked camping and rock collecting. His tremendous love for his country led him to play Uncle Sam with Lady Liberty (June Root) in local parades and he faithfully attended his children and grandchildren’s events. Having a love for sports and even setting a track record at Adams-Friendship High School, Robert sponsored local bowling teams as well as women’s softball teams and officiated for basketball and softball.
He was a member of the Grassman-Sowle-Larson-Senz American Legion Post #201 and served as a Deacon at the Tomah Baptist Church where he also taught Sunday School. He used his rock collection in his ministry, God’s Great Creations.
He will be deeply missed by all that knew and loved him.
Robert is survived by his children; Bonnie Robarge-Owen, Gary (Roxanne) Crook , Debbie (Don) Root, Randy (Sheila) Crook, Kenny (Lore) Crook, and Patsy (Darrell Ball); his grandchildren, Adam (Rachel) Robarge and Eric (Dez) Robarge, Shalyn (Nick) Gagnon, Tia (Joe) Strait and Tabitha Patraw, Donni-Anne (Nathan) Doyel, Bryan (Danielle) Root and Lisa Root, Kira Crook, Olivia (Ryan) Kennedy, Anya (Joe Breuer) Crook, John (Emily) Sprague, Heather (Brian) Stark and Katie (Nathan) Rakow, and Crystal Wagner, 39 great-grandchildren, his siblings; Virgie Mae Quimby, Arlene Warner, Olsie Jensen, Paul (Bee) Crook and Gloria (Tom) Heyer; 14 half brothers and sisters, Shirley Taylor of Kenosha, WI, Albert (Susie) Slater of Mineral, VA, Patricia (Thomas) Weddle of Green Bay, WI, Raymond (Linda) Slater of Tomah, WI, William (Darlene) Slater of Kenosha, WI, Ronald Slater of Louisville, KY, Rueben (Cindy) Slater of De Soto, WI, Lawrence (Jane) Slater of Silver Lake, WI, Dorothy (Rick) Wojtak of Wellman, IA, Darryl (Rhonda) Slater of Bristol, WI, Cherryl (Terry) Johnson of Litchfield, OH, Douglas Slater of Perrysburg, OH, and Anthony (Denise) Slater of Kansasville, WI , as well as many other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Katheline; grandson, Jason Lacey; son-in-law, Randi Owen; siblings and in-laws; sister, Genevieve (Howard) DeBruin, Henry (Betty) Crook, Vivian (Raymond) Quimby, Virgil (Delores) Crook, Alvin (Doris) Crook; brothers-in-law, Glen Warner, Gilman Quimby and Norman Jensen, sister-in-law, Bonnie (Margaret) Crook and special friend, June Root.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, March 22, 2025, 11:00 A.M., at The Tomah Baptist Church, 1701 Hollister Ave., Tomah. Pastor Aaron Smith will officiate. Relatives and friends are invited for a time of visitation on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., at The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, 801 E. Monowau St., Tomah, and at the church on Saturday from 10:00 A.M. until the time of the service. Burial will be at Mount Vernon Cemetery, Tomah with military honors by the Grassman-Sowle-Larson-Senz American Legion Post #201. The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.sonnenburgfamilyfh.com.
The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home
