Funeral services For Wesley R. Crowe, age 77, of Albert Lea and formerly of Hartland will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday March 21, 2014 at the Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Hartland. The Rev. Dennis Frank will officiate. Interment will be in the Hartland Cemetery with military honors accorded by members of the American Legion and VFW Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4-6:00 p.m., Thursday, March 20, 2014 at the Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.
Wesley died, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, March 18, 2014 at his home from complications of stomach cancer.
Wesley Russel Crowe was born on September 11, 1936 on his parent’s farm near Hartland. He attended District 8 Country School, Hartland Grade School, and graduated from Freeborn High School in 1954. Wes was a life-long member of the Cross of Glory Lutheran Church. He was an active member of the church council including having served as president. He was a member of the New Richland Hartland School Board from 1970-1979, including 6 years as the Chairman of the Board. He also served on the Hartland Creamery Board during his farming years. On October 25, 1958 Wesley was united in marriage to Jane Johnson at the Cross of Glory Church. Wes farmed in his early years and then went to work in sales at Hartland Hardware. He later purchased the business, renaming it Hartland Farm Equipment. He spent hours each week grooming and mowing his lawn. Wes loved travel, including trips to Spain, Monte Carlo, and two weeks in Norway where he saw his mother’s family farm. He enjoyed travelling across the U.S.A. and trips he took to Iowa to see his son, daughter, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren. Wes loved watching the Minnesota Twins, the Minnesota Vikings, reading “Old Allis News” and “Antique Tractors”, and spending time with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife Jane, son David (Katie Hanson) Crowe and their three children; Michael Crowe of Waterloo, IA, and Tyler and Emily Crowe, both of Luther College, daughter Cathy Crowe of New Richland and her two daughters; Chelsea Robb of Waterloo and Brittany Robb of Indianola, IA, sisters Norma Robinson of Edina, MN, and Barbara (Joe) Solberg of Albert Lea, brother Wayne (Nancy) Crowe of Grove City, MN, sister-in-law Arleen Crowe of Spencer, IA, sister-in-law and brother-in-law Robert and Wilma Pestorius of Albert Lea, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Robert and Harriet Johnson of Alden, sister-in-law Jean Collins of Eden Prairie, MN, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, his mother-in-law and father-in-law Willie C. and Alice Johnson, sister Eunice (Mervin) Wegner, brother Ronald Crowe, and brothers-in-law Sheldon Swenson, James Robinson, and Patrick Collins.
Memorials are preferred to the Cross of Glory Memorial Fund for new pew Bibles, or to the donor’s choice.
