Vera Fannie Croner

VERA CRONER   Madison - Vera Fannie Croner, longtime credit union executive, died Monday, January 18, 2010 in Madison. She was 89.   Born in Stettin, Germany (now Poland) November 8, 1920, Vera was the only child of Max and Hedwig Croner, a German Jewish factory owner and his Gentile wife. She was just 10 years old when her school friends were turned against her by the Nazis. She was expelled from her high school under Nazi laws, and couldn't get into German universities. She studied privately, then entered the law office of a Jewish attorney, where she began a long business career.   Her father was arrested, then released in 1939 on condition he leave the country. He spent the war years interned in Shanghai, while Vera and her mother survived the war in Stettin. In a poignant memoir of those times, Vera wrote of hungry years, and living on illegal papers, and hiding from danger. After the war ended Vera and Hedwig fled the Russian occupation and moved to Berlin. ""It is hard to explain how it felt to sleep without being afraid somebody would knock on your window or door and try to come into your apartment. I had a wonderful sleep that first night,"" she wrote. She moved to Norway and worked in Copenhagen, then in 1951 came to America, where her parents had settled.   She first worked for the Farm Bureau Cooperative Business Service in Madison, and continued part time there when she entered University of Wisconsin in 1955. She graduated from the School of Commerce in 1958, with a major in Accounting.   She went to work for CUNA Credit Union in 1959, and became administrator and counselor of the office at Credit Union National Association. She worked in professional capacities at several other CUNA Credit Union offices, as loan counselor and delinquency controller. In 1962, she went to Trinidad to advise and help re-organize internal operations of credit unions there, and conducted training seminars. She retired in the 1980s, from the Yellowstone Drive branch of CUNA (now Summit) Credit Union.   In the middle 1960s, she experienced cerebral hemorrhage, and was disabled for many months. She worked to rebuild her strength and energy, and returned to her career full time. She enjoyed her condo on Lake Monona at the Fauerbach, and in recent years has lived at Alterra Wynwood, on Yellowstone Drive in Madison. Her friends especially appreciate the devoted care she received there, from Ablavi, Layfraniea, Sue, Rosemary and many others. The Hospice Care Team came to help at the peaceful end of her life. Above all else Vera received over the past years invaluable guidance and direction from her dear friend and professional social worker, Nancy Dodge of Jewish Social Services.   Bob Davis, a friend since her early credit union days, said, ""The notable feature of Vera's life was sheer tenacity. She was not to be defeated; would not let cruel fate destroy her.""     She was preceded in death by her parents, distant cousins, and other relatives from Germany, Argentina and Canada. In Madison she is remembered by John and Alpha Brady, Evonna Cheetham, Robert W. Davis, Edward and Janice Lawry, Brenda McNatt, Jayne Neuendorf, Arline Paunack, Dr. Gamber and Audrey Tegtmeyer, Mike and Luanne Von Schneidemesser, Doris Zache and many others. Close friends from credit union offices include Vi Flint, Betty Lou Knight, Marsha Lorang, Mary Lou Maly and Sharon Wegner.   A memorial service will be held at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road on Thursday, January 21, 2010, at 10am, with Rabbi Kenneth Katz officiating. Private graveside services will be held at Forest Hills Cemetery at a later date.   Memorials may be made in memory of Vera Croner, to Jewish Social Services of Madison, 6434 Enterprise Lane, Madison, WI 53719.