Tribute

Daniel Martin Cronrath was born to Herman and Hilda (Leschensky) Cronrath February 8, 1926, in Baldwin Mills, Wis.

Daniel graduated from Oconto High School June 6, 1943. On June 30, 1944, he entered the U.S. Army and served in the Philippines until being discharged at Fort Lewis, Wash., May 16, 1946.

After graduating from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa, in 1950, he began his theological training at Wartburg Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, graduating in January 1954. He was ordained into ministry at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Genesee, Idaho, February 14, 1954.

In the summer of 1951, Dan met Carolyn Heitmann and they were married June 6, 1952.

Daniel started his ministry with a two-point parish at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Earlville and St. John Lutheran Church in Hopkinton, Iowa, where he served three and half years. His second parish was at Hope Lutheran Church in Everly, Iowa, where he served 10 and a half years. He served 23 years at Christ Lutheran Church in Odessa, where he retired from active ministry April 1, 1991.

Dan often talked of all the rich blessings, both spiritually and materially, that he and his family had received from the members of his parishes. He was so grateful for all the love and kindnesses. He had a great sense of humor, which served him and others well throughout his lifetime.

His great anticipation of seeing his Savior, Christ Jesus, face to face became a reality Wednesday, May 8, 2013, when he passed away peacefully at the Royal Plaza Care Center from respiratory failure. Dan was preceded in death by his parents Herman and Hilda Cronrath and one sister Nancy Baumgartner.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn; three sons Mark (Dorris) Cronrath and grandchildren Kysa and Matthew of Odessa, Wash., Keith (Joanne) Cronrath and grandchildren Brian and Erik of Battle Ground, Wash., Nathan (Wendy) Cronrath and grandchildren Christine (Aaron) and Ryan of Dusty, Wash .; and one daughter Marie (Joe) Grasso and grandchildren Dominic and Mia of Skaneateles, N.Y .; one brother Luther (Geordis) Cronrath; and one sister Dorothy (Howard) Wolfgram.

Dan was a loving and wise husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed.

Memorial services will be held a 11 a.m. May 18 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 920 Eighth Ave., Lewiston, Idaho. Committal services will be held at 2:30 p.m. at Good Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Gifford, Idaho.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Lutheran World Relief (LWR) Hunger or a charity of one’s choosing.