Cleo Crozier

Cleo Fern Osterloh Crozier of Kerrville, passed away on April 24, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her family. She was born in Nordheim, TX to David Osterloh and Nora Wolpman Osterloh on October 22, 1924. \r\n\r\nCleo graduated from high school in Nordheim, where she was on the women's tennis and half-court basketball teams and was the FFA Queen. She worked at the Post Exchange at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio before and during World War II, where she met her future husband. She was well known at the PX for both her proficiency and endearing personality. \r\n\r\nCleo married her sweetheart, William Lamar Crozier, on October 9, 1946 in Nordheim. On their way to town, cars carrying the bride and groom became stuck in rain-soaked dirt roads. They missed the planned church ceremony, and Cleo and Lamar were married in an impromptu service at her grandmother's house. \r\n\r\nCleo found great joy in raising her two children, Jennifer Lynn Crozier Raley of Grand Prairie, TX and Gary Allen Crozier of Kerrville. She spent most of her married life in Dallas, before she and Lamar retired to their ranch in Vanderpool. Following Lamar's untimely death, Cleo moved to Kerrville in 1979 and focused on being a full time grandmother. She never missed a trip to the zoo or museum, tennis tournament, Eagle Scout ceremony, music recital or graduation.\r\n\r\nCleo was a great cook and famous for her green beans with bacon and crisp summertime dill pickles. She enjoyed arts and crafts, spending much of her time quilting and sewing. Even the day before her death, she was needlepointing a Christmas stocking for her future grandson-in-law. She instilled her love of the outdoors and gardening in her children and grandchildren; she had beautiful iris gardens and could revive any struggling plant. She enjoyed many fun trips with her family and girlfriends, and even went heli-hiking in Canada. \r\n\r\nCleo loved her family and taught them many invaluable life lessons. She always had a kind word and gentle smile for others, giving of herself without hesitation. She gave the best hugs.\r\n\r\nCleo is preceded in death by her husband, William Lamar Crozier; her mother, Nora Wolpman Osterloh; her father, David Osterloh; her brother, Gus Osterloh; her son-in-law, Randy Raley; and her constant companion Sophie the Dachshund. \r\n\r\nCleo is survived by her daughter, Lynn Raley; her son, Gary Crozier and wife Priscilla; her sister, Ann O'Donnell and husband Emmett; her sister, Pam Nemec and husband Joe; her granddaughter, Emily Crozier and husband Jonathan Ret; her grandson, David Raley; her grandson, Brice Crozier and fiancé Ryan Worthington; and her grandson, Benjamin Raley, wife Sarah, and great-grandsons Ezekiel and Quinton (arriving June 2016). \r\n\r\nFuneral services will be held Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at 10:00 at Trinity Baptist Church, with Dr. Bill Blackburn officiating. Private family burial will follow. \r\n\r\nPallbearers will be Gary Crozier, Brice Crozier, David Raley, Joe Nemec, Jonathan Ret and Ryan Worthington. \r\n\r\nIn lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Texas Chapter of the Nature Conservancy or Peterson Hospice.\r\n\r\n