Alice Jean (Crofts) Morava

Alice Jean Morava (nee Crofts) passed away peacefully after a brief illness at Aurora Zilber Family Hospice in Wauwatosa, WI.  She was born October 7, 1930 in Fond du Lac, WI to Sidney and Nina Mary Crofts. She attended Goodrich High School in Fond du Lac and graduated from Carroll College-now Carroll University- in Waukesha in1952 with a degree in history and elementary education. She earned a Master of Science in Education from UW Whitewater, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from Aurora University.

During her years at Carroll University, she met her future husband, Robert (Bob) Morava. They were married September 25, 1954. They raised their two children, Robert Jr. and Catherine (Bob and Cathy), in the Morava family home in Cedar Point Park Association, Williams Bay, where they enjoyed all the activities surrounding the lake. Bob passed away in 1987, but Alice continued to live life to the fullest, pouring her heart and soul into serving her church, lake community, and alma mater. 

Alice briefly worked as an elementary school teacher in Waukesha,  Fontana,  and Williams Bay.  After her husband’s death, she worked with her son at their family business, Stuart W. Johnson & Co., Inc. in Lake Geneva. 

She was an active member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, The Old Main Society of Carroll University, The United Church of Christ (Congregational) of Williams Bay, Big Foot Country Club, The American Association of University Women, The Williams Bay Women’s Civic League, and the Williams Bay Lioness Club.

Alice served on the Board of Trustees for Carroll University and Gateway Technical College, and was a member of the Board of Directors for The Geneva Lake Water Safety Patrol, Friends of Kishwauketoe, Geneva Lake Association and Cedar Point Park Association. She was a member of the Aurora Lakeland Medical Center Benefit Ball Committee, and also served on the Williams Bay Schools Board of Education. 

Alice lived a life giving her love, time, talent and treasure to her passions:  faith, family, friends, education, nature and community. She was always a class act and always ready to listen and advise.  Alice will be remembered for her keen sense of style, sense of humor and genuine interest in others. She was an avid reader and an advocate for life-long learning. Among the contributions of which she was most proud were her donations of the Crofts Morava Pavilion at Carroll University, the library at Gateway Technical College in Elkhorn and the scholarships she established at Carroll University and UW Whitewater.

She was an enthusiastic fan of the Brewers, Bucks and Packers, and enjoyed global traveling, bowling, bridge, golfing and spending time on what she called “the most beautiful place in the world”-Geneva Lake. Her greatest pleasure was sharing stories, spending time, and laughing with her children, grandsons, family and many friends.

Alice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and siblings Joyce Byrnes, Robert Crofts, Shirley Lenz, and Sidney Crofts. She is survived by her children Robert (Ruth Anne) and Catherine and by her grandsons, Robert III (Kaitlin) and Nathan and by brother John (Annette) Crofts and many nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews and a multitude of dear friends and colleagues. 

A life well lived. She achieved much, and gave more.

The family will receive visitors at Derrick Funeral Home, 800 Park Drive, Lake Geneva on Friday, March 15th from 4:00-7:00 pm. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 16th at The United Church of Christ (Congregational), 46 Stam Street, Williams Bay at 11:00 am, with visitation one hour prior to the service.  

Memorials may be made to Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy, The United Church of Christ (Congregational) of Williams Bay or Carroll University.  

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Derrick Funeral Home of Lake Geneva is honored to be assisting Alice's family

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