Margaret Crouse

Margaret Ruth Crouse

                  Margaret Ruth Crouse was born to Clinton and Barbara Grossman Crouse on March 23, 1949 in Garden City, Kansas. She passed away on March 12, 2024 in Chadron, Nebraska at the age of 74 years, 11 months and 18 days.

                  Margaret grew up on the family farm in the Plymell Community south of Garden City, KS, working and enjoying a rural farm life. She rode horses with her brother, fell off their horse Fleet, breaking her arm and ending her riding career.  Domestic chores with her mother also brought about a trip to the hospital when she ran her hand into the wringer of the washing machine.  Though those stories are oft recalled, most experiences were much more positive.

                  Margaret was active in her community, with church, school, Grange and 4-H activities having importance. Music was an integral part of those activities. A variety of 4-H projects included baking, clothing construction and baby beef.  At the 1968 4-H Fair she was crowned the Finney County Wheat Queen.

                  Over the years, many of you have perhaps noted Margaret liked her cars. She wanted one that would “respond” when she stepped on the accelerator. But, her first car was a 1963 Volkswagen Bug.  Not as responsive as she might have liked but it was red.  It served her well as there was no bus service for rural students in her district.  However, there was the day when several “friends” picked up the bug and put it on the sidewalk while she was in class.

                  Various cars over the years followed that little bug.  She especially enjoyed her Smart Car and her two Cadillacs. Would that she could have driven the last one longer.          

Her first educational experiences were at the local school, Plymell Elementary.  She then attended Abe Hubert Junior High in Garden City before, graduating from Garden City High School with the Class of 1967.  Education was to remain a major focus for the rest of her life.

                  After attending Garden City Community College for one year, she attended Kansas State University graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1971.  She earned her Master’s degree from Oklahoma State University in 1979 followed by her PhD from OSU in 1984.

                  Margaret taught in Anthony High School and in Chaparral High School in southern Kansas before being employed by Chadron State College as a home economics instructor in 1979.  She remained at CSC, serving in teaching, administrative and leadership positions until her retirement in 2015. 

                  From her earliest days as a first grader in August of 1955 until her final days serving as the CSC Interim Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences in July of 2020, Margaret spent some sixty-five years of her life involved in some aspect of education.

                  During her thirty- six years of full-time employment at Chadron State, she received several honors.  In 1987 she was awarded the Burlington Northern Outstanding Teaching Award.  At that same time, she was a leader in the effort to secure a multi-million-dollar Higher Education Grant.  This grant started CSC’s remote delivery system for classes.  Other grants followed. This work was recognized when she received the Special Service to Nebraska Home Economics Teachers Award in 1993.

                  It was at this time, Margaret’s focus moved from classroom instruction to administration.  She served as the Dean of Business and Applied Science from 1993 to 2002.  During those years she was recognized with the Nebraska Family and Consumer Science Association’s Outstanding Vocational Educator award in 1994.  The same association honored her with their Leadership Award in 2001.

 During her years as dean, she oversaw saw the growth and development of the Range Management Program.  This program has continued to flourish and continues to be a well-respected Range Management Program in the region and country.

In 2004, after returning to the classroom for two years, Margaret accepted the position as Dean for the School of Education, Health, Physical Education, Recreation/Sports Management, Psychology, Counseling and Social Work.  That position was her focus until her 2015 retirement.  She was especially pleased to be asked to be the Commencement Speaker for the Class of 2015.

But retirement didn’t end her association with Chadron State College.  After retirement she continued to shoulder Higher Learning Commission, Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, teaching and administration responsibilities for the college.  Finally in January, 2020, she accepted a final official position with CSC, a six-month position as the Interim Dean of Professional Studies and Applied Sciences.  Her work ended in July of 2020.

                  At the time of her death, Margaret was serving on the Board of Governors of Western Nebraska Community College and as the President of the Nebraska Community College Association.  She took pride in being able to continue to work in the field of education.

                  Travel was something Margaret enjoyed.  Trips to Greece, Ireland, Germany and Israel were especially remembered for the sights, sounds, foods and the many friends and relatives who enjoyed those trips with her.

                  A long-time member of the Chadron United Methodist Church, she enjoyed being part of the church choir and singing the occasional solo or duet.  But even more she enjoyed being part of the children’s ministry of the church.  She developed Children’s Messages for morning worship services and worked with the summer Vacation Bible School program.  She shared her enjoyment of these ministries with family and friends.

                  Margaret was also a member of Chadron’s Culture Club and the Silver Eagle Association of Chadron State College.

                  She was preceded in death by her parents, her grandparents, Forrest and Orra Covey Grossman and Emmett and Edith Goddard Crouse; nephew, Jody Crouse and special friend, Pat Colgate.  She is survived by her brother, Forrest Crouse (Kerma) of Jewell, Kansas; sister, Celia Krug (Steve) of Spearman, TX, nieces, Michelle Riddle (Blue Springs, MO) and Rachel Crouse (Jewell, KS); Nephew, Bret Crotts (Lucie) (Garden City, KS) Great Nephew, Rex Crotts, Great Nieces, Eleanor Crotts, Charlotte Crotts (Garden City)  great nephew, Tamarick Riddle (Kansas City, MO), plus cousins and friends.

                  The family suggests memorials to the Chadron United Methodist Church or the Moody/Crouse Scholarship Fund. Can sent to Chamberlain Chapel P.O Box 970 - 1700 Hwy 20 Chadron, NE 69337.