Longtime Altona Resident Mary C. Cruce Dies at 94

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Mary C. Cruce, a longtime resident of Altona, Illinois, passed away on March 21, 2026, at the age of 94. Cruce had a varied career, working as a farm wife, bank employee, and antique shop worker over the decades. She is survived by her son Jeff Cruce and was preceded in death by her husband Oliver and her brother Dale.

Why it matters

Cruce's life and career reflect the changing economic and social landscape of rural Illinois communities over the past several decades, from family farming to small-town retail. Her passing marks the end of an era for Altona and the surrounding region.

The details

Cruce was born in Galesburg, Illinois, in 1931 and attended school in the nearby town of Oneida. She married Oliver Cruce in 1953 and worked as a farm wife, helping with chores and caring for the family's Rat Terriers. Cruce also worked at several banks in the region, including the Bank of Galesburg and the Anderson State Bank in Oneida. In her later years, she worked at various antique shops and businesses in the historic town of Bishop Hill.

• Cruce was born on August 12, 1931, in Galesburg, Illinois.
• Cruce married Oliver Cruce on March 21, 1953, at the Altona Lutheran Church in Altona, Illinois.
• Cruce passed away on March 21, 2026, at the age of 94.
• Cruce's graveside memorial services will be held on April 2, 2026, at Oneida Cemetery in Oneida, Illinois.