Dorcas Cross

Cross, Dorcas R.

Madison: Dorcas R. Cross, age 95, passed away Thursday, May 17, 2018 at home with her son by her side. Dorcas Roceal Strand was born April 4, 1923 in Primrose, WI the daughter of Sion Alfred and Hannah Sonsteby Strand. She was baptized in Haugh Lutheran Church, Perry, WI on July 1, 1923 by the Rev. John Hankaw.

Dorcas attended Meier Grade School in Madison and had two teachers. The first four years, Mae Kronomen and the last four years Marian Struckmeyer Hams and graduated June 5, 1937. She then attended East High School for four years and graduated June 13, 1941.

In November and December she worked part time at the Kresges Dime Store on the square in Madison. Her job was to decorate 25 Christmas trees which were put on a ledge all around the ceiling of the store. The decorations that were used were from boxes that were stored in the basement. Later she worked in the stationary department. It was while working there that Everett came to say goodbye to her as he was leaving to go into the service. In January of 1942 she went to work in the office at the Highway Trailer Company in Edgerton and also helped out in the Highway Trailer Company in Stoughton doing typing of stencils as they were doing inventory work. It was at this time that the U.S. Government gave a contract to Highway Trailer to furnish trailers as they were needed a that time for the war. In the spring the government was going to freeze all employees so Dorcas looked for work and got a bookkeeping job at the Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company in Madison. In addition to the bookkeeping she helped out with the underwriting and typing of policies whenever the other employees got behind on their work.

Dorcas met and became engaged to Arthur LeRoy Cross while he was stationed at Truax Field in Madison. They had planned on getting married while he was here, but he was sent to Meridan Mississippi and then he was shipped overseas. Since she had quit her job she looked for other employment and was hired as Assistant Auditor at the Lorraine Hotel. A job she held for 8 1/2 years. When Art came back from the service they were married March 16, 1946. Art worked for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Madison, and then found other employment and became General Manager for American National Insurance Company. Two children were born, Kathryn Ann Cross on October 6, 1954 and Arthur Jeffrey Cross on March 21, 1958. The Cross Insurance Agency was started in their home selling fire and casualty and later became Associated Insurance Brokers, Inc. When Arthur Jeffrey came home from the Marines in November of 1982, he took the insurance exam and worked in the agency until it was sold in August of 1995.

Dorcas is survived by her son, Arthur Jeffrey Cross, nephews David Strand, Madison, Ronald (Juliet) Strand, Texas, Dennis (Starr) Strand, Florida, Tom Soules, Madison, nieces Linda (Leo) Cross, Sarah Soules, Madison, Stacey (Lance) Nye, Viroqua, sisters-in-law, Winifred Strand, Madison, and Wilma Unrein, Kansas, and many cousins. She was preceded in death by husband Arthur LeRoy Strand Jan. 5, 1994, and daughter Kathryn Cross-Agard Sept. 13, 1994, brothers Wilson, Everett, George, and Garfield, her parents Sion Alfred and Hannah Strand, niece Nancy Jane Soules, nephews Gregory and Jarriod Strand, and sisters-in-law Agnes Strand Weger and Jane Strand.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 pm on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 7337 Hubbard Ave., Middleton, WI 53562. The family would like to thank Brightstar and Agrace HospiceCare for their kind and compassionate care. Dorcas and Jeff wish to thank Rev. David Couper and his wife Sabine Lobits for all their help over the years. Also thanks to Roger Sr. and his wife Paula and Robert Snider for the lutefisk dinner with their families. Thanks also to Robert Raasch for the help over the years in the genealogy on the Sinnes, Sonsteby, Strand, and Cross family. Dorcus also thanks son Jeff Cross for help over the years. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Please share a memory.

Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705