Winnifred Crosley

Winnifred Crosley, 100, of Eldora passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 23, at Eldora Specialty Care after a brief illness.  Visitation will be held at Abels Funeral Home in Eldora on Sunday, January 26, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Celebration of life services will be officiated by Pastor Allen Craft and will be held at the Eldora United Methodist Church at 11:00 on Monday, January 27.  A luncheon and time for fellowship will follow.  Interment will be held at the Hauser Cemetery in Whitten at 2:00 that afternoon.  In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be directed to the Eldora United Methodist Church or the Eldora Public Library.

Winnifred was born September 17, 1919, to Howard and Verna (Bentley) Hauser of Whitten, Iowa.  She graduated from Whitten High School in 1937.  She was married to Gerald Putnam.  Three children, Barbara, Dennis and Pamela, were born to this union.  In 1946 she moved to Eldora when her marriage ended.  She was trained as a dental technician and worked for Drs. Hoyt and Tom Stonebrook, local dentists.  She continued in this position until 1965 when she married Beecher Crosley and the two families united.

Winnifred was a member of the United Methodist Women, past Worthy Matron of Eastern Star, past president of the Iowa State Dental Assistants Association, took part in the annual bird count, was an avid supporter of the Eldora Booster Club, a Master Gardner and an active supporter of the Eldora Public Library.  She also supported local community programs and hosted RAGBRAI participants.  She and Beecher were part of a fine arts organization and attended many events throughout the state.

She was an accomplished musician, playing piano-organ duets for the Eldora United Methodist Church and accompanying vocalists.  She also taught piano lessons as a young mother.

She had a special interest in the local wildlife.  The deer, birds, and raccoons in her back yard were recipients of her never-ending care.

She and Beecher both loved to travel and took each of their 11 grandchildren on trips of their choice.  They later took all of their children and spouses on a trip to Oahu, HI.  Her other interests included bridge, tea parties with friends and entertaining guests on her back porch.

Those thankful for having shared her life include her daughters, Pamela (Robert) Kauffman of Lakewood, Illinois; Dixie Harrington of Davenport, Iowa; Tamma Gaynor of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; and Polly Granzow of Eldora, Iowa; daughter-in-law, Hisako Putnam of Pearl City, HI; 10 grandchildren, numerous great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  The family is so appreciative of the faithful loving care and friendship of Cindy Landis over the past 34 years.  Her compassionate, protective presence was a priceless gift to the family.

Winnifred was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Verna Hauser; her step-mother, Velma Hauser; her sister, Louise Hauser; her brother, Robert Hauser; her husband, E. Beecher Crosley; her daughter, Barbara (Putnam) Larson; her son, Dennis Putnam; her granddaughter, Aimee Harrington Brown; her grandson, Dennis Putnam, Jr.; and three sons-in-law, Paul Larson, Richard Gaynor and David Granzow.