Etta Mae Newkirk was born February 13, 1910 in Wagner, South Dakota, the daughter of Henry Clifton and Nora Elizabeth (Holstein) Newkirk.

She grew up on a farm in Ravinia, South Dakota and received her education in that area. After graduation she attended Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota and later attended the Rapid City School of Business. After her schooling, she remained in Rapid City and worked as a secretary stenographer for Black Hills Power and Light for sixteen years.

Etta was united in marriage to George O’Brien Crouch on May 31, 1950 in Sturgis, South Dakota. They made their home on George’s farm-ranch located twenty-six miles north of Wall. In 1960, they moved into Wall but they continued to operate the homestead until 1967. While in Wall, Etta was the city auditor from 1962-1972.

Etta and George moved to the Westhills Village in Rapid City on February 29, 1988. George preceded her in death on December 10, 1998. Etta continued to live at Westhills Village until moving to Westhills South Assisted Living in 2001, and later into the Westhills Village Healthcare Center.

Etta was a charter member of the Evangelical Free Bible Church of Wall. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, music, and played the accordion in which she was self-taught.

Grateful for having shared her life are three sons, John Crouch and his wife Marie of Clarinda, Iowa, Barth Crouch and his wife Susan of Salina, Kansas, and Keith Crouch and his wife Judy of Pittsfield, Massachusetts; seven grandchildren, Tim, Eric, Jeana, Bindy, Ken, Casey and Jessica; seven great-grandchildren, Candus, Brandi, Tara, Kelsey, Collin, Kaitlyn, and Seth; and a host of other relatives and friends.

In addition to her husband George, Etta was preceded in death by her parents, and two brothers, Cliff and Wray Newkirk.

Funeral services were held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 15, at the Evangelical Free Church in Wall.

Visitation was held from 9:00 a.m. to service time on Saturday at the church.

Interment was in the Wall Cemetery.

A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Saturday, April 15, 2006 10:30 a.m.
Evangelical Free Bible Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Norman Cole
USHERS
Gerald Julson – Jim Barber
MUSIC
Rose Barber – Pianist
Congregational Hymns
"Rock of Ages"
"How Great Thou Art"
PALLBEARERS
Dave Hahn – Dean Parsons
Lawrence Schreiber – Rod Renner
Dean Patterson – Gene Patterson
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota