Memorial services for 74-year old Margaret Crouse of Chadron, NE, are Saturday, March 23, 2024 at 11:00 at the First United Methodist Church in Chadron
Flowers and donations may be sent in care of Chamberlain Chapel, PO Box 970, Chadron, NE 69337.
Online condolences may be left at chamberlainchapel.com.
Margaret Ruth Crouse was born to Clinton and Barbara Grossman Crouse on March 23, 1949 in Garden City, KS. She passed away on March 12, 2024 at her home in Chadron at the age of 74 years, 11 months and 18 days.
Margaret grew up on the family farm in the Plymell Community south of Garden City, working and enjoying a rural farm life. She rode horses with her brother before she fell off their horse, Fleet, and broke her arm – ending her riding career.
Domestic chores with her mother also brought about a trip to the hospital when she ran her hand into the wringer of the washing machine. Though those stories were oft recalled, most experiences were much more positive.
Margaret was active in her community growing up with church, school, Grange and 4-H activities all having importance. Music was an integral part of those activities.
A variety of 4-H projects included baking, clothing construction and baby beef. Margaret was crowned the Finney County Wheat Queen at the 1968 4-H Fair.
Over the years, many of you have perhaps noted Margaret liked her cars. She wanted one that would “respond” when she stepped on the accelerator, but her first car was a 1963 Volkswagen Bug. Not as responsive as she might have liked but it was red.
It served her well as there was no bus service for rural students in her district, but there was the day when several “friends” picked up the bug and put it on the sidewalk while she was in class.
Various cars over the years followed that little bug. She especially enjoyed her Smart Car and her two Cadillacs. Would that she could have driven the last one longer!
Margaret’s first educational experiences were at the local school, Plymell Elementary. She then attended Abe Hubert Junior High in Garden City before graduating from Garden City High School with the Class of 1967.
Education was to remain a major focus for the rest of her life. From her earliest days as a first grader in August of 1955 to her final last days as the CSC Interim Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences in July of 2020 and finally 3 years on the Western Nebraska Community College Board, Margaret spent 65 years involved in some aspect of education.
After attending Garden City Community College for one year, she attended Kansas State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1971. She earned her Master’s degree from Oklahoma State University in 1979, followed by her PhD from OSU in 1984.
Margaret taught in Anthony High School and in Chaparral High School in southern Kansas before being employed by Chadron State College as a home economics instructor in 1979. She remained at CSC, serving in teaching, administrative and leadership positions until her retirement in 2015.
During her thirty- six years of full-time employment at Chadron State, she received several honors. In 1987, she was awarded the Burlington Northern Outstanding Teaching Award.
At that same time, she was a leader in the effort that secured a multi-million-dollar Higher Education Grant which started CSC’s remote delivery system for classes.
Other grants followed and Margaret’s work in that area was recognized in 1993 when she received the Special Service to Nebraska Home Economics Teachers Award.
It was at this time that her focus moved from classroom instruction to administration. She served as the Dean of Business and Applied Science from 1993 to 2002, a period that saw her recognized twice by the Nebraska Family and Consumer Science Association. She received its Outstanding Vocational Educator Award in 1994 and its Leadership Award in 2001.
While dean, Margaret oversaw the growth and development of the Range Management Program, which has continued to flourish and be well-respected both in the region and nationally.
She returned to the classroom in 2002, but two years later rejoined the administration as Dean of the School of Education, Health, Physical Education, Recreation/Sports Management, Psychology, Counseling and Social Work. She remained in that post until her retirement in 2015. She was especially pleased to be asked by that year’s graduating class to be the Commencement Speaker.
Even retirement didn’t end her association with Chadron State College as she continued with some teaching and administrative duties. Most notably, Margaret and Dr Kathy Bahr prepared CSC’s self-evaluation that led to the school’s 10-year reaccreditation by the Higher Learning Commission
Finally in January 2020, she accepted a final official position with Chadron State, a six-month term as Interim Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences that ended in July 2020.
Shortly after starting that term, Margaret was appointed to fill the Western Community College Area Board of Governors District 1 seat held for 21 years by her Chadron State colleague Dr Merlyn Gramberg, who had resigned in December. Margaret still had 2 years left on her term when she passed.
Travel was something Margaret enjoyed. Trips to Greece, Ireland, Germany and Israel were especially remembered for the sights, sounds, foods and the many friends and relatives who enjoyed those trips with her.
A long-time member of the Chadron United Methodist Church, she enjoyed being part of the church choir and singing the occasional solo or duet. But even more she enjoyed being part of the children’s ministry of the church.
She developed Children’s Messages for morning worship services and worked with the summer Vacation Bible School program. She shared her enjoyment of these ministries with family and friends.
Margaret was also a member of Chadron’s Culture Club and the Silver Eagle Association of Chadron State College.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, Forrest and Orra Covey Grossman and Emmett and Edith Goddard Crouse; nephew, Jody Crouse and special friend, Pat Colgate.
She is survived by her brother, Forrest Crouse (Kerma) of Jewell, Kansas; sister, Celia Krug (Steve) of Spearman, TX, nieces, Michelle Riddle (Blue Springs, MO) and Rachel Crouse (Jewell, KS); great nephew, Tamarick Riddle (Kansas City, MO), plus cousins and friends.
Chamberlain Chapel of Chadron is in charge of arrangements for Margaret Crouse.