VOORHEESVILLE — Lois Rapp Crounse, who crossed the country with her husband on a motorcycle before she settled in the Voorheesville home she loved, died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at St. Peter’s Hospital. She was 93.

“Lois was the oldest of five children, born just in time for the Great Depression,” her daughter wrote in a tribute.

“She was a high school cheerleader — and proud of it to this day — and a beauty in her time. There isn’t a photo of her where she isn’t posed like a model, even into her 80s,” the tribute said.

After graduating from high school, she went to work for State Bank of Albany, working her way up to a very responsible position.

“She was dating someone in a band and, when he and his best friend had an accident, she went to visit him in the hospital — and fell hard for his friend, the guitar player,” the tribute said. “She loved Rudy, and until the very end when Alzheimer’s had stolen everything he was, Rudy adored her.

“They did not start a family right away; Rudy had an Indian motorcycle and they were members of Spitzie’s Riders, a group that traveled all over the country on their motorcycles. They made an epic trip all the way to Yellowstone on the bikes.

“When it came time to settle down, one of Rudy’s uncles sold them a wooded piece of property on State Farm Road in Voorheesville. Lois designed the house, and Rudy and his family cut trees — and milled a lot of the lumber — and did a lot of the labor themselves. She loved her home.”

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, and ran the Church Bazaar clothing booth for many years. She was also an officer and member of the New Scotland Seniors where she enjoyed many years in the role of tour director, traveling the eastern United States and Canada by bus.

“She was artistic, and indulged in a wide variety of crafts, as well as collecting vintage glass,” the tribute said. “She loved animals and had many dogs and cats over her long life, all of which she treated like kids.

“She was fiercely devoted to her family, generous to a fault with friends and strangers alike, and was loved by all who knew her. Even while in the hospital, she asked after the tellers at the Voorheesville Key Bank and the employees at the Hannaford whose compassionate assistance allowed her to live independently until the end. She will be greatly missed.”
 

****

She was the wife of the late Rudolph S. Crounse for nearly 53 years, and Robert Bristol for two years. She was the mother of Patricia Ann LeGere, married to Warren, and Keith A. Crounse, both of Voorheesville; grandmother of Ruth Belschwinder, married to Mark, and Rachael Chase with Dustin Roach; great-grandmother of Christopher and Mackenzie Chase; and sister of Wilda Sandwick, Wayne Rapp and the late Hilbert and Ralph Rapp.

She is also survived by her beloved cat, Tigger, and many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, Oct. 11, at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home at 9 Voorheesville  Ave. in Voorheesville.

Burial will be in Memory Gardens Cemetery in Colonie.

Calling hours will be held prior to the service on Friday from 10 a.m. to noon at the funeral home.

Mourners may leave condolences online at altamontenterprise.com/milestones.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12206 or to the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, 68 Maple Ave., Voorheesville, NY 12186.