Alice E. Crass, 90


Alice E. Crass, 90, of West Bend, died peacefully Tuesday, July 5, 2011, at her home surrounded by her family.

She was born Aug. 17, 1920, in Rollingstone, Minn., the second of four children, to the late Oscar and Matilda (nee Seefeldt) Knoeck. Alice married Merlin C. Crass on Jan. 2, 1943, at Camp Edwards, Mass.

Alice was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and above all a friend to everyone she met. She believed that we all needed to approach life with love and compassion in our hearts, looking for the goodness in people, focusing on the positive and always helping whoever was in need with graciousness and kindness. Her love for Merlin, her husband, sweetheart and best friend for 66 years serves as a constant reminder and model of what loving relationships are all about.

Alice was an excellent cook and baker. She loved preparing food for her family and friends, and was especially known for her delicious homemade bread, marble birthday cake, Christmas stollen, rhubarb pie, along with baked beans and German potato salad. When Alice was in the kitchen, the smell of her cooking would bring family, friends and neighbors to her table. She was the heart of her home and all were welcome.

Her faith was her strength and guiding light. She was an inspiration to all who met her. Her devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary sustained her through difficult times and was the foundation of her family. She would start and end each day with prayer, coming to God as a child, with openness and trust.

She enjoyed hiking in the Kettle Moraine, gardening, canning, playing cards, traveling, spending time with her family, and daily prayer.

She will be truly missed.

Survivors include her six loving children; Therese M. (Wayne) Casper of Adell, Mary A. (Dan) Howard of Highland Ranch, Colo., Christine R. Kannenberg of Malone, Joanne C. (Michael) Barber of Taos, N.M., Michael J. (Jane) Crass of Cedarburg and Mark J. (Maria) Crass of Francis Creek. She is further survived by 21 grandchildren; Jacqueline Den-Hartog, Aaron Casper, Elizabeth Hogfeldt, Rebecca Casper, Allison Coppock, Zachary Casper, Nathan Casper, Robert Howard, Ted Howard, Maria Howard, Katherine Kannenberg, Sarah Kannenberg, Amy Tradewell, David Kannenberg, Matthew Kannenberg, Alexandra Barber, Emily Crass, Anna Crass, Madeline Crass, Nicholas Crass, Kayla Crass; seven great-grandchildren; one sister, Marie Schroeder of St. Louis, Mo.; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Alice is preceded in death by her husband, Merlin Crass; son Alan O. Crass; two brothers, Oscar Knoeck and Jerry Knoeck.

A memorial Mass of Christian burial will be held Saturday, July 9, 2011, at 11 a.m. at Holy Angels Catholic Church with Father Rick Wendell presiding.

Visitation will be Friday, July 8, at Holy Angels Catholic Church from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and also Saturday, July 9, from 9:45 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.

Burial will follow mass at Holy Angels Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to Cedar Community Hospice are appreciated.
The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family.
Online guest book and condolences are available at www.schmidtfuneralhome.com.