Herbert Craanen
Herbert J. Craanen, 96, passed away peacefully on November 25, 2021. He was born on February 25, 1925, to the late Jacob and Mary (VanLanen) Craanen. On October 28, 1950, he married Lucille Klarkowski at SS. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church. They shared 67 years together before Lucille passed on November 11, 2017.
Herbert and Lucille farmed the land in New Franken where Herbert was born and raised, and where he lived until recently. He was a dairy farmer throughout most of his working life but in addition to farming, he worked at Wittek’s Mink Farm and Nicolet Memorial Gardens. He was a devout Catholic and prayed the rosary daily. Herbert was a life-long member of Holy Cross Parish in Bay Settlement.
Antique tractors and farm machinery were of great interest to him. Herbert enjoyed going out for breakfast and taking a drive through the countryside to see how the local farmers were doing with planting, harvesting and maintaining their farmland. He loved horses; a passion he maintained throughout his life. Herbert worked with them in his younger years, and for many years would take family and friends out for wagon rides, and special events.
Herbert worked hard, but he always found a way to have fun and laugh. He enjoyed Polka music, dancing, participating in mock weddings, playing cards, bowling, going out to eat anytime, and just being with family and friends. Those good times created many memories of a life well lived.
He is survived by his brother, Clayton Craanen; sister-in-law, Eleanore Balza; nieces and nephews, and many good friends and neighbors.
In addition to Lucille and his parents, Herbert was preceded in death by brothers and sisters: Donald (Genevieve) Craanen; Rita (Ralph) Strebel; Milton (Marilyn) Craanen and Dorothy Malzewski; sisters-in-law: Ardella Craanen; Dorothy (Alvin) Wanek and Delores (David) Mleziva; brothers-in-law: John Klarkowski and Gary Balza; his parents-in-law; Antone and Bernice (Mencheski) Klarkowski, and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., from 3:00 to 8:00 on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. A Parish Wake Service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friends may also call at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 3009 Bay Settlement Road, on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, from 10:00 until 11:45 am. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon with Abbot Gary Neville, O’Praem officiating. Entombment at the Shrine of the Good Shepherd Mausoleum. Online condolences may be sent to Herbert’s family at www.proko-wall.com
It was Herbert’s wish to thank family and his many friends, neighbors, doctors and nurses for all they have done for him throughout the years. Your help and visits meant a lot to him.
We will miss hearing those stories of “the good old days” and miss your gentle smile and big heart. Thank you for the memories which we will cherish forever in our hearts.