Lynn E. Crooks
July 26, 1941 ~ August 25, 2024
Lynn’s prayer service and funeral service will be livestreamed below starting at 6:30 PM Thursday August 29, 2024 and 10:30 AM Friday August 20, 2024.
Lynn Edward Crooks, 83, was welcomed home into the loving arms of Jesus on August 25, 2024. He passed away peacefully but experienced heart disease for several years.
Lynn was born July 17, 1941, on a farm near Hankison, ND to Orra and Ervin Crooks. A man of considerable achievement, Lynn excelled in his education, playing football in high school as a half back and co- captain and graduated as a co salutatorian. He later attended NDSU for 2 years before transferring to UND to study law. His first career started as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of North Dakota and later as an Assistant US Attorney in Fargo until his retirement in 2002.
During those years he was involved in hundreds of criminal prosecutions, many that required contested trials. Two of the more notable trials were against Leonard Peltier and Gordon Kahl, both were tried in Fargo and generated national attention.
In May of 2002, the Governor of South Dakota, William Janklow declared May 3, 2002, as Lynn Crooks day to memorialize the many federal cases he tried.
Lynn received the Outstanding Assistant U.S. Attorney of the year award given by the national association of former U.S. attorneys and the Director’s Award for Superior Achievement twice in his career.
Beyond his professional life, Lynn found great joy in his family, marrying his beloved wife, Nancy in 1974 and cherishing time spent with their children, Mark, and Lori. He was an avid storyteller with a great sense of humor and always had a smile on his face. Lynn was known for his generous spirit and active involvement in his community, including his dedication to Hope Lutheran Church, the Masonic Lodge, and El Zagel Shrine.
Lynn’s life was marked by a passion for reading, learning, and enjoying the outdoors, whether through hunting, fishing, or family vacations. His legacy of kindness, humor, and service will always be remembered.
Lynn is survived by his daughter, Lori (Dan) Traiser of Fergus Falls, MN; her three grandchildren, Kristin Traiser of Mayer, MN, Jenna Traiser of Fargo, ND and Erik Traiser of Fargo, ND; daughter-in-law, Sharon Ponik of Fargo, ND; sister, Mary (Dave) Kluge of Hankinson, ND; brother, Richard Crooks of Hankinson, ND; sisters-in-law, Joan Crooks of Pingree, ID, Cindy Crooks of Hankinson, ND; brother in law, Richard Koehler of Wauwatosa, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lynn is preceded in death by his wife, Nancy; son, Mark Ponik; and grandson, Louis West.
Services
Visitation - Thursday: August 29, 2024 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Prayer Service - Thursday: August 29, 2024 6:30 pm
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Visitation - Friday: August 30, 2024 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Hope Lutheran Church - North Campus
2900 Broadway N
Fargo, North Dakota 58102
(701) 235-6629
https://www.fargohope.org/
Funeral Service - Friday: August 30, 2024 10:30 am
Hope Lutheran Church - North Campus
2900 Broadway N
Fargo, North Dakota 58102
(701) 235-6629
https://www.fargohope.org/
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To The Family. Lynn and Nancy were dear friends both personally and professionally. Lynn handled many of my cases while I worked for the US Fish and Wildlife Service. We also spent many hours fishing and camping with them on the Van Hook Arm of Lake Sakakawea. Lynn was an early riser and made sure that he woke everyone up while he banged the coffee pot around while making coffee. Lynn had a great sense of humor, and was always good for several stories as we sat around the campfire on our fishing trips. Rest In Peace Lynn, you will be missed.
High school team-mate, classmate, and very close friend. College roommate and Sigma Chi fraternity brother. We were still in contact well into retirement.Rick and Janet Haukness
Lynn and I, along with about 50 others, began studying law at UND in the fall of 1962. We frequently kidded Lynn about his great lawyer name. Our adjunct professor Art Stokes always called the roll in our Equity class, and he always smiled and clearly enjoyed calling for “Mr. Crooks.”
Lynn was first of all a fine, genuine, honest, unassuming, and all-around good person. But he was also a great lawyer and legal scholar.
It was my great pleasure over more than 60 years to have him as a friend. May he rest in peace.
Lynn and Nancy Crooks were our first and dearest friends when we moved from Iowa to North Dakota. Nancy and I were nurses at St John’s Hospital and close neighbors.
I was her Maid of Honor when she married. Lynn and we watched our children grow up and were always there for each other.
Lynn was well respected in the Community professionally, but I admired him most was his dedicated love for his wife and children Mark and Lori. Nancy was the love of his life and he was a hands on parent and so proud of his children and grandchildren.
I am so sorry that I won’t be able to attend Lynn’s funeral as I live in Georgia but my condolences and prayers will be with the family who treated us like family.
The last thing I said to Nancy and Lynn when we said our goodbyes for Georgia was, “ If we never meet again in this life I know, God willing, we will all be together in Heaven for all eternity.”
God Bless, Joan Schraufek
Lynn Crooks was a mentor and friend to me, and so many others. I learned a lot from Lynn, about trial work and life. So many stories, so much wisdom, and SO much fun to work with and be with. My sympathy to Lynn’s family and friends who share this loss.
Lynn was my co-counsel in trial in Bismarck, more than once. Each time was a great opportunity to learn and have fun. I recall one time in particular Lynn suggested we both needed an afternoon together to plan our trial strategy. Lynn said we should find a location where we could enjoy privacy and calm, to better craft our final trial plan; someplace “quiet and away from distractions or prying eyes.” Knowing I had access to a fishing boat, Lynn suggested, “maybe the middle of a big lake?”
Fishing with Lynn Crooks is something to cherish, as are many great memories those of us who knew him each share. …I’ll miss him as much as any of the most important people in my life. Clare Hochhalter
A prosecutor’s prosecutor. Ever the gentleman.
Years later we had met occasionally at functions in Fargo. Little did I ever think that we would someday work together. My office was across from his so I got to listen to his wisdom to others and he advised me a lot, too. I only got to work one case with him but it was memorable…pig smuggling across the border and bribing a Border guard.
Lynn and Nancy joined our little Hike and Bike group so we had lots of fun together over the years. We did get to see Lynn in May, we are so grateful for that!
Lynn…what a joy to be with Nancy again!
Lynn Crooks was one of the most genuinely kind people I have ever met. I worked with Lynn in the US Attorney’s Office in Fargo for 20 years. He was a friend and an advisor and a skilled prosecutor.
My sincere sympathy to his family.
Valerie Kertscher
Barnesville, MN
My sympathy to Lynn’s family, we were classmates in high school graduating in 1959 Lynn was a good friend and will be missed by a lot of people
Classmate of lynn, good times remember senior prom lynn, carol, mary jo my self, double dated took carol back to aberdeen, sd. Good times in hankinson.
Rest in peace Lynn, what a great man with a very difficult job. Lynn was the best of the best and with good old common sense. Always willing to visit with a smile and kind words.
My deepest sympathy to his family.
Sorry for your loss
When I was hired as an Assistant United States Attorney in 1972 by Hal Bullis I joined the 3 other Assistant US Attorneys in the office–Gary Annear, Gene Anthony and Lynn Crooks. I was directed to open the Bismarck Office so there would be a US Attorney’s presence in Western North Dakota.
I had an opportunity to work with Lynn on a number of matters while we were both with the US Attorney’s office and working with him was always a pleasure. I last saw Lynn in Fargo a year ago when Norm Anderson arranged a small get together. It was fun visiting with Lynn and others.
May he Rest in Peace.