Gordon Crider

Gordon A. Crider, age 92, of Litchfield, died on October 27, 2009 at the Meeker Memorial Hospital in Litchfield, MN. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 10:30 AM at the Litchfield Christian Church, Litchfield, MN with Pastor Mike Zylstra officiating. Visitation will be from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM on Friday, October 30, 2009 at the Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield, MN. Military Honors will be provided by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Burial will be at the Lake Ripley Cemetery. Gordon Averrill Crider, the son of William and Aubine (Shea) Crider was born on March 26, 1917 on a farm in the Kingston-Kimball area. He completed 8 years of school at District #43. As a boy, he hired out to nearby farmers to work for $1.00 a day plus room and board. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942. He spent one year in Newfoundland as a switchboard operator. His unit was protecting the harbor at St. John’s Bay. After the infantry training, Gordon was eventually sent to England where he was assigned to the 80th Division of the 3rd Army under General Patton. He was wounded crossing the Moselle River during his unit’s drive to take the city of Metz. He was taken to the hospital in Paris and later flown to England for surgery. It was during this recovery time that his unit was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. His division was also involved in the liberation of the famous Austrian Liebenstein horses. Following his discharge in 1946, he married Vivian Burington who was his helpmate until her death in 1991. Gordon is well known and will not be forgotten for his craftsmanship as a cabinet maker, which he began in 1946. His work graces many kitchens in the area. In 1949, he built Crider Cabinet Shop south of the railroad tracks on Davis Avenue, Litchfield, MN, where he went to work every day until August, 2000 when he had heart surgery. After much deliberation, Gordon decided to sell his shop in October, 2001, thus giving up his career which in later years became a hobby for him. Gordon was a Church elder for many years and also a Sunday School teacher. He enjoyed going to Sr. Dining, feeding the birds and going to Swans Restaurant for his daily pie and “mellow”. He will be remembered for his cheerful nature and his good sense of humor. Gordon is survived by a sister Hazel Burtzlaff of Stillwater, MN, brothers; Traverse Crider of Helena, MT, Clinton (and Doris) Crider of Helena, MT, Jack Crider of Jefferson City, MT, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Vivian, sisters; Elaine in infancy, Marjorie and Gloria and brothers; Maxwell, Kingdon, Hubert and Merrill.