Kenneth R. Crooks

Fort Atkinson - Rev. Kenneth R. Crooks, age 61, passed away on Saturday, August 15, 2009 of leukemia. He was born in Chicago on December 2, 1947, the son of the late Norman Crooks and Virginia (Stone) Crooks. Ken grew up in LaGrange, IL and graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange in 1966. He graduated from the University of Illinois in 1970 with a B.A. degree in philosophy and received his Masters of Divinity degree in 1974 at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, IL. He served churches in the Northern Illinois Conference of United Methodist Ministers for 34 years until he officially retired in 2006. During that time he also served on district and conference committees and boards. He resided on Lake Koshkonong near Fort Atkinson during his retirement. He was a member of the University United Methodist Church in Madison. He loved books, travel, family, cats, nature, music and especially his lakeside home. He is survived by his wife, Diane; daughter, Karen; mother, Virginia; and three brothers, Tom, Carl, Rick and their families. A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at noon at University United Methodist Church, 1127 University Avenue, Madison, with the Rev. Jungja Hynes Lee officiating.     Cress Funeral & Cremation Service