Lonnie Merle Crabtree

Lonnie Merle Crabtree, 89, of Lake Park , MN, passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at Oak Crossing Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Lonnie was born on October 22, 1934, in Dolliver, IA, to Merle and Violet (Thorson) Crabtree. He graduated from Lake Park High School in 1952 and began working for Peterson Biddick in Detroit Lakes, MN. He enlisted in the U.S Army on November of 1958 and was stationed at Fort Chaffee, AK, for 6 months of basic training and then 6 months at Fort Gordan for his MP training in Munich, Germany. After his enlistment, he served the National Guard for 2 years and performed 1 year of inactive duty. He served in the Honor Guard in Munich Germany and received the good conduct medal for his service reaching the rank of SP4 E4.

Lonnie was united in marriage to Dorothy Mae Theis of Ulen, MN, on October 21, 1961, in Lake Park, MN. They were married for 62 years. After serving his country, Lonnie began his 42-year career with the Community Coop of Lake Park. He delivered fuel by truck for the first 20 years, and for the remaining years worked in the Cenex store. He also worked for a farmer until he was 80 years old.

After his retirement, Lonnie purchased a new truck and camper and enjoyed a 6 weeklong trip to Alaska with 4 other couples. He considered this trip to be one of the many highlights of his life. Lonnie was a very talented man and could fix and build just about anything. He spent many hours perfecting his skills as a woodworker. He enjoyed camping, traveling, hunting, and most of all, spending time with his family.

Lonnie was an active member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, member of the American Legion, and a volunteer fireman.

Lonnie is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy; children, Jeff (Joan) Crabtree, Michele (Steve) Kriha, Joel (Jodie) Crabtree, and Jason Crabtree; grandchildren, Ryan (Kylie) Kriha; Brett and Seth Kriha, Tim Crabtree, and Ian and Korah Crabtree; great-grandchildren, Benjamin, McKenna, and Carter Kriha; brothers, Ron (Bonnie) Crabtree and Vern (Janet) Crabtree; sisters, Margie Westlund, and Marilyn Leitheiser; sisters-in-law, Sandra Theis and Vi Theis,; and many other loving relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents; great-granddaughter, Maggie Kriha; 7 brothers-in-law, Tom Leitheiser, Marvin Westlund, Nick “Sonny” Theis, John Theis, George Theis, David Larson, and Robert Rud; and 2 sisters-in-law, Mary Ann (David) Larson, and Helen (Robert) Rud.

Visitation will be from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 3, 2024, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Lake Park, MN. Final resting place will be at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Cemetery, Lake Park, MN, following the service.  

Lonnie’s family would like to extend their gratitude to Hospice of the Red River Valley, Oak Crossing Nursing Home, Chaplain Linda Wainswright, Monsignor Foltz, and Father Chuck Huck for the special care they gave Lonnie and his family.