Lake Edward Crookham
Lake Edward Crookham
Lake Edward Crookham
January 29, 1937 – January 8, 2023
Oskaloosa, Iowa | Age 85
Lake Crookham, 85, of Oskaloosa, passed away Sunday afternoon, January 8, 2023, at Mahaska Health Hospital in Oskaloosa.
Lake Edward Crookham, son of Lake Mitchell and Gracia Marsh (Williams) Crookham, was born January 29, 1937, in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Lake attended Oskaloosa schools, and while in high school, he participated in football, basketball, golf, Projection Club, “O” Club, and Dance Club and served as his homeroom and class president. After graduating in 1955, he began his college career at Parson’s College in Fairfield. After one year, he transferred to the University of Iowa and earned his Electrical Engineering Degree and then a Law Degree.
Lake returned to Oskaloosa to practice law with his father’s law firm, and for several years, he served as Mahaska County Attorney. He retired from his law practice in the mid-’80’s, and in the mid-’90’s, Lake opened Crookham Accounting. He truly enjoyed providing this service to the community.
Lake married Darlene; to that union, three children were born. They divorced.
He later married Eileen, and to that union, one daughter was born; they later divorced.
Lake was an avid pilot, and throughout his life, he loved sports. He played golf for many years and officiated many sporting events. He served as a sports broadcaster for KBOE for youth, high school, and college sports. Lake was a lifelong Iowa Hawkeye fan and enthusiastically supported the William Penn University Statesmen. Lake was the appointed Commissioner of the Fantasy Football League for his buddies and loved a good game of cards.
Lake was a devoted member of the Oskaloosa Elks Club, where he served as treasurer and also State Parliamentarian. Lake volunteered in numerous organizations; he especially enjoyed helping young people, and his passion was improving his community.
Lake’s family includes his children: Cindy Crookham of Georgetown, TX; Laura Crookham of Oskaloosa and formerly of Sioux Falls, SD; Lake Jr. “J.R.” (& Tracy) Crookham of Kansas City, MO; and Kristen Crookham-Gildemeister (& Jonas Plumb) of Wayzata, MN; and ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Joe Crookham and Jeanie Bieri of Oskaloosa; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and dear friends, Kelsie Hoyt and Connie Cochran.
In addition to his parents, Lake was preceded in death by a brother, Carter Crookham.
Funeral services for Lake will be held at 11:30 a.m., Monday, January 16, 2023, at Central Church, with Pastor Jon Nelson officiating.
Burial will be in Forest Cemetery.
Visitation will begin at 11 a.m., Sunday, at Langkamp Funeral Chapel; the family will greet visitors from 2-4 p.m.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Elks Foundation.
