Louise Crosbie was born December 4, 1931, in Omaha, NE, to the late Robert and Mabel Spreacker.  The family residence included her father's pharmacy, where Louise served as a soda jerk, the perfect training ground for her mastery of meeting and enjoying people.  When she married Stanley Wilder at the age of 20, she also became mother to his three young children, Marilyn, Arlan, and Sherry.  After Stanley's death, while attending a memorial service in Nebraska, she met confirmed bachelor Roger Crosbie who "didn't sleep a wink until after 2:00 a.m." the morning after encountering Louise's unforgettable smile.  The two married on June 26, 1976, living first in Gretna, NE, then on the decline of his father's health moved to the Crosbie Family Farm in Pringhar, Iowa.  They cared for his parents and an uncle in their home until their deaths. When they moved to Missouri, Roger's brother, Gordon, came along, making his home with them for 25 years.  The Crosbies lived several years in Willow Springs, then moved to "Rocky Top," their farm south of Cabool.  The house on Garst Street, which they bought in their 80s, was the first home where they lived alone.

Louise graduated with an education degree from the Mankato Campus of Minnesota State University, was employed in the Parents as First Teachers program and taught kindergarten in the Willow Springs Schools.  She was active in Art Club, Red Hatters, served on the board for STARS, and served as President of the Church of the Brethren's Women's Fellowship, Daughters of Shalom, until last December.  Her creativity and generosity, her impish sense of humor and her empathy and compassion were a gift to all.  She was a member of the Church of the Brethren, who brought with her rich faith perspectives from other traditions and an unending love for her Lutheran heritage.

Louise is survived by her husband, Roger, of the family home, daughter Sherry Wilder,  son Arlan Wilder, Granada Hills, CA, her Minnesota grandchildren, Mark Seifert and great-grandson, Sheldon; Chris Schmidt, Karen Seifert, Sharon Seifert and spouse Doug Larson; special cousin, Mary Payne, Memphis, TN, and many friends.  Her daughter, Marilyn, preceded her in death.