Josie Crouch

Josie Crouch, 81 of Malvern, IA, passed away on December 6, 2018 in Grand Island, Nebraska following a short illness. Cremation has taken place.

Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 2, 2019, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Charles E. and Florence M. Lakin Community Center located at the Mills County Fairgrounds. Join the family for coffee and cookies and share memories of Josie with her family and friends. Private family burial will take place at a later date. Loess Hills Funeral Home of Malvern in charge of arrangements.

Memorials: Directed to the family

Josephine Ann "Josie" Crouch, one of six children of Alfred and Lillian (Bradley) Johnson, was born on August 30, 1937 in Glenwood, Iowa. She graduated from the Glenwood High School in 1955. Josie attended Peru State Teachers College, received a teaching certificate and taught in rural schools for a time. Josie began working for the Malvern School District in 1968, starting out as a teacher aide and bus driver. She went on to be the Superintendent's secretary/office manager and secretary for the school board. Following her retirement in 2002, she worked part-time in the office of the Malvern City Clerk.

Josie and Ervin Eugene Crouch were married on July 4, 1956. During their early years of marriage, they farmed near Henderson and Malvern, Iowa. In November 1966, the couple made their home in Malvern when Erv became the utilities superintendent for the town of Malvern until his retirement in 1993. They were blessed with three children, Susan, LeAnn, and Ryan.

Josie and Erv were married almost 55 years when Erv passed away on April 12, 2011.

Josie was a member of the Baptist Church, a Red Hats member, and enjoyed spending time with her family at the cabin near Park Rapids, MN, playing cards; she faithfully playied on Tuesdays with her card gals; and spending time with her "porch sitters" and special friends, Mary Tornquist and Allen Hall, at her home. Josie enjoyed attending special lunches with her "family and friends" (classmates of 1955 of which several were also family members), and getting together for "cousins" lunches. Josie loved spending time with her family and grandchildren, who were her pride and joy. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mom, and grandma and a great friend to all who knew her and loved her.

Josie passed away on December 6, 2018 in Grand Island, Nebraska at the age of 81 years, 3 months, and 6 days. In addition to her beloved husband Erv, she was preceded in death by her parents; grandson Cameron William Blackburn; and brother Wayne Johnson.

Josie is survived by her children, Susan Blackburn and husband Stephen of Glenwood, LeAnn Peterson and husband Howard of Malvern, and Ryan Crouch and wife Lisa of Grand Island, NE; grandchildren, Shay, Shaw, Scott, Corey, Jory, Loran and Abby; great grandchildren, Ben, Harrison, Jase, Noah, Olivia, Trae, and another due in March; siblings, Warren Johnson and wife Judy of Conroy, TX, Evan Johnson and wife Janet of Ethel, LA, Janice Rinne of Topsfield, MA, and Carol Bishop and husband Terry of Glenwood; several in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a host of friends.