Louise M. Cragoe

Louise M. Miller Cragoe was born on December 5, 1924, in South Milwaukee, WI, the daughter of Lillian Rose (Behrends) Miller and Frank J. Miller. She was the youngest of four older brothers.

She grew up in South Milwaukee and loved to play the piano. As a child during the Wisconsin winters, Louise remembers walking with her mother across a frozen Phathom Lake in Mukwonago to take her piano lessons. She took lessons later in life to keep up her skills. As a young girl, her father would take her down to the local hall to play “God Bless America” on the piano, to keep the spirits up of the men working during the WWII war time.

Louise attended Antioch College in Yellow Springs, OH. In 1943, while at Antioch, it was mandatory to take part of a cooperative education work program. This took her to Washington, D.C., to work under Eleanor Lansing Dulles, who was known as the “Mother of Berlin”, as Eleanor helped in the reconstruction of West Berlin after the Second World War. After a year at Antioch, Louise transferred to the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where she graduated with a degree in Political Science in 1948 and met her future husband, Arthur, also a student of the university. Art graduated with a degree in Mathematics, to later become an actuary. Louise and Art were married at the First Congregational Church on November 4, 1950, in South Milwaukee. They then moved to Des Moines, IA, where Art took his first job at the Equitable Life Insurance Company. In 1961, Art and Louise moved to Springfield, IL, where Art took a job at the Franklin Life Insurance Company, later to become Senior Vice-President-Actuary of the company. Arthur preceded her in death on February 14, 2018, on Valentine’s Day. They were married for 67 years.

She was a long-time member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and served on several committees. Louise interviewed and recorded, through Sangamon State University (now University of Illinois at Springfield) oral history program, the life of the Reverend Dr. Edward Ziegler, who was pastor at the church at the time Louise was a member. Dr. Ziegler was pastor from 1944-1969.

Louise volunteered at the Illinois Presbyterian Home. Her mother, Lillian, moved to the Presbyterian Home later in life. Lillian lived most of her life in Wisconsin. Louise was a member of the original volunteer group, “Friends of Memorial Medical Center”. She and Art also volunteered together at Memorial, pushing the “Art Cart” and changing the art pictures in patients’ rooms. Louise spearheaded a school volunteer program for the Springfield schools. She was a member of Chapter BF of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization); past member of the Illinois Symphony Guild, League of Women Voters, Sunnyside Literacy Circle, and the Nighthawks Dance Club.

She and Art enjoyed playing bridge with the same three couples for several years. Louise loved her rose garden and walking down the lane with Pepper, the family dog. She would entertain at their lake home for several 4th of July get-togethers. Louise enjoyed traveling and always kept a detailed diary of all her trips. After her husband retired, Louise travelled with Art to Sri Lanka and Cairo, Egypt, where Art volunteered with the IESC (International Executive Service Corps). She and Art enjoyed several winters in Scottsdale, AZ.

Louise will be greatly missed by her four children, Doug Cragoe of North Hollywood, CA, Cathy Cragoe (fiancé, Tony Leone, deceased) of Springfield, IL, Paul (Kathy) Cragoe of Springfield, IL, and Mary (Dan) Sutter of Hayward, CA; three grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur; brothers, Ervin (Betty) Miller and Al (Ann) Miller; half-brothers, Phil Miller and John Miller; sister-in-law, Carol Brasure; and brother-in-law, Don Brasure.

In accordance with her wishes, Louise donated her body to the Anatomical Gift Association of Chicago. She will have a niche in the columbarium at Westminster Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden next to her husband, Arthur.

The family will host a Funeral Service at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield. The family will greet friends after the service in the West Narthex.

Memorial contributions may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut St., Springfield, IL 62704, if you wish.

The family is being served by Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 S. Grand Ave. W., Springfield.