Myrtle M Crooker

Memorial Services for Myrtle M. Crooker will be conducted from the Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege, Nebraska on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. with Chaplain DeWane Dow, officiating. Inurnment will be held in the Prairie Home Cemetery in Holdrege, following the services.

Myrtle Mae Crooker, 80 years of age, of Holdrege, (formerly of Ragan, Nebraska), passed away on Wednesday, March 14, 2018 at the Christian Homes Care Community in Holdrege. She was born on June 3, 1937 in Competition, Missouri, the fourth of seven children of Vigil C. and Christine L. (Jones) Ledbetter. She was baptized in 1951 in the Baptist faith.

Myrtle grew up on the family farm until she was 18 years of age, and worked at the Rice Stick factory in Lebanon, Missouri.

She then met her life-long partner, Frank Crooker, and they were united in marriage on July 31, 1957, and to this union three children were born: Virgil, Randy and Mae. Later she adopted, and raised her two nephews: Tim and Charlie Smith as well. The family made their home in the Sandhills near Dunning, Nebraska, where Frank was employed for Max Thompson, and Myrtle focused her efforts on raising their children, and worked at the Halsey National Forest as a tree puller. After 13 years, the family moved to Loomis, Nebraska. The couple then settled to Ragan.

Myrtle was employed by Becton-Dickinson in Holdrege as an inspector for 21 years of service, prior to her retirement. During her retirement years, she stayed active working at Methodist Memorial Homes, and Phelps Memorial Health Center. On January 20, 2011, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank.

Besides her parents and husband, Frank; Myrtle was preceded in death by two grandsons; one great-granddaughter; five sisters; and one brother.

She leaves to celebrate her life; her five children: Virgil Crooker and his wife, Phyllis of Dunning; Randy Crooker of Ragan; Mae Ellis of Holbrook, Nebraska; Charlie Smith of Kearney, Nebraska; and Tim Smith and his wife, Brenda of Ragan; 14 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

There will be no visitation or memorial book signing, the family is honoring her wish for cremation.

A memorial has been established in Myrtle's honor, and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Holdrege is in charge of the arrangements.