Obituary of Billie Crooks

Billie N.Crooks, age 82, of Columbus Junction, Iowa, died Saturday, November 12, 2005 on her 50th wedding anniversary at her home. Graveside services for Billie will be Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 2:00PM at the Columbus City Cemetery. Rev. Cathy Whitlatch will officiate. Casketbearers will be Kevin Ortberg, Keith Ortberg, Travis Ortberg, Darrin Crooks, Dean Crooks, David Crooks and Greg Crooks. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 15th from 5-7:00PM at the Stacy-Lewis Home for Funeral and Cremation Services in Columbus Junction. A memorial has been established at the funeral home in Billie's name. Following the committal services a time for refreshments and memory sharing will be held at the Columbus City United Methodist Church. Sympathy notes may be left to the family at www.lewisfuneralhomes.com. Billie Nell Bowman was born January 17, 1923 in Herrin, Illinois, the only child of John William and Etta Mae (Whiteside) Bowman. She was a 1940 graduate of Marshall High School in Marshall, Texas, and she also attended college in Marshall. While visiting relatives in Columbus Junction she met and married Max Heither in August of 1941. Max died in a car accident in 1954. On November 12, 1955 Billie was united in marriage to Robert Crooks of Columbus Junction. Billie enjoyed working and meeting the public. In pre-war and war times she worked at the West Side Cafe. She also worked as a secretary for attorney Tom Perry and spent several years working at Ross Dry Goods. Billie and Bob were the owners and operators of The Locker Market for many years. When they closed The Locker, she went to work for Schlutz Enterprises as a Secretary/Bookkeeper for 16 years. Upon retirement Billie worked at the Columbus City Market for about 4 years and for a short time, the Louisa Veterinary Clinic. She was a member of the Columbus City United Methodist Church. She was also an active leader in her community, serving as secretary for the Columbus Music Mothers, a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club, the Rebekahs, the VFW Auxiliary, president of the American Legion Auxiliary, member ofthe Eastern Star and secretary and president of the Columbus City Improvement Club. Billie was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was an avid gardener and possessed an extreme love for animals, especially the numerous pets that she cared for during her lifetime. Billie will be dearly missed by her husband, Bob of Columbus Junction; her sons,Dave Crooks and wife, Becky of Iowa City, Jeff Crooks and wife Andrea of Columbus Junction and Richard Heither and wife Sandi of Wetumpka, Alabama; her daughter,Cheryl Heither of Des Moines, IA; 2 grandsons, Greg and Joel of Columbus Junction;and her beloved dog, Skeeter. Billie was preceded in death by her parents and 1st husband.