Friday, December 6, 2024
Delores (Dee) Crowley, a long-time resident of Merrill, WI, and more recently of Northport, MI, passed away peacefully on October 17, 2024 surrounded by family. Born on July 10, 1935, in Cloquet, MN, to Toivo and Helen Alaspa (Kohelmainen). Dee was the oldest and only daughter in a family of five children. Raised in Cloquet, where her father was a watchmaker and jeweler, and her mother a homemaker, Dee maintained lifelong friendships with many of her classmates after graduating from Cloquet High School.
Dee earned her degree from Macalester College in St. Paul and went on to graduate from the University of Minnesota School of Nursing. She had a remarkable career as a registered nurse spanning over 40 years, working in various capacities including in-service education, hospital nursing, state mental institutions, and as a triage clinician, ultimately finding her passion in family practice.
In 1967, Dee married John (Jack) Crowley and together they moved to Wausau, WI where they raised their nine children in a lively household on McIndoe Street. Those years were filled with work, trips to the family cottage in Hazelhurst, and cherished birthday and holiday celebrations.
After retirement, Dee and Jack settled in Merrill where they found their “Golden Pond” on the Wisconsin River and met a new community of friends and neighbors destined to become lifelong friends. Proud of her 100% Finnish heritage, and not to be outdone by the Irishman in the house, Dee would display the Finnish flag alongside the Crowley Irish flag at their home. Following Jack’s passing in 2021, Dee relocated to Northport, MI, where she enjoyed the natural beauty of the area in her remaining years.
Dee touched countless lives with her commitment to friendship, generous spirit, and unique sense of humor. Her cards and gifts were always a delightful surprise. She will be remembered for hosting Green Bay Packer vs. Minnesota Vikings parties, where friends and Minnesota family would gather to cheer on their teams. A lover of mysteries, Dee enjoyed reading, writing heartfelt letters, bird watching, and staying connected with her loved ones. Her warmth and kindness will be missed by all who knew her.
Dee was preceded in death by her parents, four siblings, her husband Jack, their son Bill, and one infant great-granddaughter. She leaves behind eight children: Kevin (Peggy), Lisa (Bill Westling), Shawn (Brian Johnson), Brian (Laurie), Paul (Mary), Michael (Colleen), Megan, Erin (Greg Piefer) and daughter-in-law Kelli; ten grandchildren; Nicholas, Diedre, Conor, Ellen Ann, Jillian, Bennett, Kiernan, Tess, Aidan, Natalie; four great-grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
In accordance with Dee’s wishes, there will be no funeral arrangements. Instead, please raise a glass in her memory, preferably a buttery Chardonnay.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lincoln County Humane Society in honor of Dee’s love of animals, or to a charity of your choice in her memory.
