Allen Croat

ALLEN DALE CROAT was born July 12, 1953 to Wilfred John and Ina Francis (Fox) Croat in Luverne, Minnesota. He was baptized at St. Catherine Catholic Church in 1953 and attended school at Hills-Beaver Creek public school, graduating in 1971. After graduation, Allen completed X-ray tech school in 1972 and moved to Sleepy Eye, Minnesota where he worked, first as a lab tech and then as an X-ray Tech. In 1981, Allen accepted a position as an X-ray tech at Sioux Valley hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After four years, he was promoted to CAT scan tech, a position he proudly held for the next 33 years. Allen was also a very active member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists from 1981 through 2020. He served as vice-president and president for one year each of the local and state boards and president of the national board for a year. He also served two years as president, two years as Chairman of the Board, and six years on the board for the South Dakota Society of Radiologic Technologists. He was very proud of his career and dedicated a large portion of his time and energy to serving his community by improving and bettering his field of work. After his retirement, he continued to live in Sioux Falls with a close friend Roxie Rauk. In March of 2021, he moved into the Good Samaritan Villages of Sioux Falls for rehabilitation following a surgery. On September 7, 2022, while surrounded by friends and family, Allen passed away peacefully at the Good Samaritan Villages at the age of 69 years, 1 month, and 26 days.

Allen was very committed to his career, but in his free time he enjoyed reading, listening to music, doing needle point, and crocheting. Allen’s love of music began when he was a teenager as he would buy 45's (for those of you who remember 45's) and play them so much that he would wear them out or they would get scratched and he couldn't play them anymore. Later in life, Allen got a part time job at the Record Shop (for those of you who remember that store) in the mall. He loved working there because music was such a passion of his. Allen loved listening to all types of music, especially the golden oldies. Over the years his collection of music has grown. Another love that Allen developed was for Disney. This became apparent when he got a part time job at the Disney Store in Sioux Falls. He first worked as a sales clerk and then he became an assistant manager. Over the years of working at Disney, he could tell you who every Disney character was, what movie they played in and what songs were in that movie. His favorite character was undoubtedly Mickey Mouse. During his time at Disney, he collected Disney memorabilia and also loved wearing anything Disney. Anyone who knew him, knew of his love for anything Disney.

Allen is survived by his best friend, Roxie Rauk of Sioux Falls; his nieces and nephews, Mary Krumwiede of Bingham Lake, Minnesota, Terri Birman of Canby, Minnesota, Larry (Jill) Karsten of Milroy, Minnesota, Sherri Karsten of Ivanhoe, Minnesota, Lynette (Jeff) Werner of Wilmont, Minnesota, Tammy (Kevin) Stude of Sioux Falls, and Amy Dammer of Rushmore, Minnesota; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Wilfred and Ina Croat; siblings Gene, Duane, Beverly, and Donna.