"Miss you Dad. You had a good long life and enjoyed almost all of it, only being ill toward the very end. You were a good father and a great grandfather. I know you are with your sons Jeff & Steve in a better place. But we still all miss you:( "
In loving memory of
Howard E. Cross
September 20, 1919 - July 27, 2015
MADISON- Howard Cross died in Madison, Wisconsin on July 27th, 2015. He was born on September 20, 1919.
"Howie" was preceded in death by his father Ed, his mother Ethel, his brothers Herman and Ronnie, and his sons Jeff and infant Steve. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Ellen (Leutenmayer), his four children Kathleen, Geraldine, Maureen and Gregory; seven grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Howie served in the Pacific from 1941 to 1945 as a decorated combat medic with the 158th Infantry "Bushmasters." His children grew up never hearing of his war experiences and the horrific losses to his unit. For thirty years, he was a painter for the State of Wisconsin. Howie was a skilled curler and avid golfer and was proud of his 2 holes in one. He was also a high school basketball and football referee for 32 years. He recalled to his children a time he was chased into a farmhouse by angry fans and another time he was escorted out of town by the police after a local team loss. Howie and Ellen started downhill skiing at the age of 50! Family and friends enjoyed many camping and ski trips to Northern Wisconsin or Colorado in the motor home.
He was proud to be a 4th degree Knight of Columbus and volunteered for many years at the annual spaghetti dinner at the Holy Name Seminary fundraiser and the tootsie roll drive.
He and Ellen enjoyed the winter months with friends in Texas and the summer months at their home in Wisconsin. Howie loved his family (especially the grandkids) and they adored him. We will miss you terribly Howie!
Howie's wife and children would like to thank the many people who provided him support over the last two years. They would especially like to single out their Texas and Madison friends and neighbors and the staff at Oakwood Village and Agrace in Madison.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 401 S. Owen Drive, Madison on Friday July 31, 2015 at 11:00 am. A visitation will be held at church on Friday from 10:00 am until the time of Mass. Burial will follow the Mass at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery.
Cress Funeral Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
(608) 238-3434
Tributes
"Howie and Ellen were Floyd and my good friends at Texas Trails. We played bunches of bridge together and Howie and Floyd played golf. We loved him and will miss him. Go with God Howie."
"----HOWIE WAS PART OF OUR GOLF GROUP, SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK TO NEW GLARUS , WE WERE MEMBERS FOR 15 YRS.----HE WAS A GREAT FRIEND WHO HAD A GOOD LAUGH , ALSO A GOOD GOLFER , IT WAS HOWIE , ME , BILL LEMAY , AND JIM TRACY, -----WE HAD GREAT TIMES,----WE WILL MISS HIM----AND IT WAS GREAT JUST TO KNOW HIM-----OUR THOUGHTS GO OUT TO ELLEN AND THE KIDS----"
"The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, Howard Cross. We are thankful for his military service and proud to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. in October 2012"
"When we moved next door to Howie and Ellen in 1993, we were thrilled to be welcomed and adopted into the neighborhood by them. We were lucky to share more than 20 years of Howie's rich and busy life and to get to know his wonderful family. I already miss his booming voice alerting me to the latest news or to borrow the ladder he wasn't supposed to be on. Love from Dave, Claire and family"
"We first met Howard and Ellen at Texas Trails in 1994 and enjoyed their friendship from that time on. His love of bridge, sharing a good laugh over cocktails, his open expression of his opinions, and love of his family and friends stand out in our fond memories. Our hearts go out to you Ellen in this great loss. Love, Bev Benfer and Pat Schroder"