Stephen Clifford Crouse died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of November 21, 2024.
He was born June 1, 1947, as the eldest son of Clifford and Margaret Crouse (nee Grier). Stephen was a lifelong resident of Easton where he attended the local schools. After graduating from Easton High School in 1965, he attended Missouri Western College and graduated with a history degree. With his father and brothers, Arthur, George, and John, Stephen was a dairy farmer and farmed the soil that his great-grandparents, George and Vollie Crouse, began tilling in 1894 as a Buchanan County pioneer farm. In his free time, he was an avid reader and collector of historical books and decorative objects.
He was preceded in death by his parents and nephew, Brian Crouse.
Stephen was a lifelong member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Easton.
In addition to his three brothers, Stephen is survived by his sister, Marilyn Rittenberg, brother-in-law Michel Rittenberg, sisters-in-laws, Cindy Crouse, DiAnne Crouse, and Diane Crouse. He is also survived by his nieces and nephews Bethany Crouse, Matthew Crouse, Andrew Crouse, McKenzie Beech, Ryan Rittenberg, Camille Acosta, Jami Dodge, Jill Mead, and Jessica Wilson, and thirteen great-nieces and nephews.
Throughout his illness, Stephen appreciated deeply the generous love and support of his two sisters-in-law, Cindy and DiAnne Crouse, and cousins, Charlotte Holeman and Patty Sweeney.
Mass of Christian Burial: 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 26th at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Easton, MO.
Visitation: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Monday, November 25th at Hixson-Klein Funeral Home in Gower.
Burial: St. Joseph Cemetery, Easton, MO.