Galen Crosby

Galen Crosby, age 93, of Madison, passed away Monday, March 20, 2022, at Madison Regional Health System.

Funeral service will be 11 AM on Friday, March 25^th at Trinity Lutheran Church with Rev. Bob Hansen officiating.  Visitation will be 5-7 PM on Thursday at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7 PM.  Visitation will continue Friday at the church one hour prior to the service.  Burial will be in Prairie Queen Cemetery, Nunda.  Online guestbook is at www.rustandweilandfuneral.com.

 

 

Galen Crosby, age 93, of Madison, gained his heavenly wings on Monday, March 20, 2022, at Madison Regional Health System.  

Galen Eugene Crosby was born to Raymond F and Cornelia (Nelson) Crosby on November 7, 1928.  Galen’s mother passed away when he was 9 months old.  He was raised by his Aunt & Uncle, Caroline and August Eggebraaten. He had many fond memories of living with them, near Rutland along the banks of Green Lake. He remembered many evenings of listening to August play the violin and Caroline play the organ for home country dances.  

Galen went to grade school in a little country school, one and half miles from home, the Lommen School. Which he later purchased and moved to Lake Herman for a cabin.  He was confirmed at Prairie Queen Lutheran Church near Nunda, SD.  He rode an old model A bus to attend high school in Rutland.  It was Sunday School where he first met a Norwegian girl named Eunice Jeanette Mehlum (Eunice passed Jan 4, 2012) and it was during high school that they started dating.  They were married in Sioux Falls, SD on March 4, 1946.   

During their first year of marriage, they lived in Sioux Falls, SD.  Galen working at John Morrell & Company.  Eunice worked as a long-distance operator for Northwestern Bell.

In 1946, they returned to Madison, and Galen took a mechanic job with the Knappen Chevrolet garage and Haley’s Delivery Taxi Service. Galen also worked as a wholesale distributor for Madison Co-op Creamery for 20 years. In 1969 he started working for the City of Madison managing their mechanic/repair shop. In December 1990, after 21 years, he retired to enjoy more of their lake home and lifelong hobbies.  Since childhood he has enjoyed hunting, fishing, trapping, archery, trap shooting, auto racing, boating and restoring old tractors. But spending time with his family was the most dear to his heart. 

 Galen has been a lifetime member of the Izaak Walton League in Madison since 1950.  A member of the Prairie Historical Society since its beginning- Galen served on the board of Directors for Prairie Village for many years, was involved heavily in moving the buildings to Prairie Village and had a passion for collecting antique tractors.  Current member of Lake County Historical Society. He was instrumental in getting the Madison Archery Club up and going.  He was an active member of Madison Sons of Norway.  

Galen and Eunice had four children. A son Eugene (Ruth) Crosby (passed away 12-13-2014). Three daughters; Karen (Ken) Becker; Patricia (Jerry) Kreul and Cheryl Garwood (passed away 05-28-2009). Ten grandchildren; Rick Becker, RaeLynn (Phil) Maher, Troy (Barb) Becker, Cam (Shelley) Crosby, Carrie Crosby, Jeremy (Celeste) Kreul, Travis Graham, Terry Graham, Tasha Graham- 21 Great grandchildren; Gracie Crosby, Carson Crosby, Dawson Anderson, Roxanne Callies, Morgan Callies, Anthony Callies, Mitch (Kim) Maher, Christina (Tyler) Bruder, Robert (Lexie) Maher, Brady (Morgan)Maher, Justin Becker, Ky Becker, Riden Becker, Nicholas Kreul, Ella Kreul, Breanna Greene, Shaylee (Steven) Spencer, Janaya (Kayden) Kaiser, Samantha (Boa) Dicus, Hannah Graham, Daniel Graham,  7Great-Great grandchildren and number eight on the way.

Galen was preceded in death by his wife Eunice, Son Eugene, Daughter Cheryl, Son-in-law Ken Becker, Grandaughter Ginger Kreul; Brothers Raymond Crosby, Ernie Crosby, Philip Crosby, Martin Johnson, Carlton Johnson; Sister Lillian Johnson Wold.