Alice "Joan" Crouse

Joan Crouse, age 89, died January 29, 2026 at Country Meadows, Frederick, surrounded by family.

Joan was born April 2, 1936 in Hagerstown, MD to Ethel Lee Rash Walden and Harry Reynolds Walden. She was the youngest of six children. She attended St. Mary's grade school and graduated from St. Mary's high school in 1954.

Joan and her husband, Dr. J. Richard Crouse, married in 1956. They moved to Frederick County in 1962. She worked at home, raising her five children, until her youngest daughter entered high school. At that time she began working at her husband's dental practice. After her husband’s death she was employed in the offices of Dr. Richard Holz, and Dr. Neil Lamb. She played tennis in her younger years, and bridge, and was a long time member and a past president of Tasker’s Chance Garden Club.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1994; her daughter, Donna Lee Crouse, in 2025; and her siblings Ruth Ridenour, Annie Mathna Horst, Lillian Kunkle, Malcolm Walden and Irene Sobotor.

Joan is survived by her children Diane Wilkinson (Steve), Kristi Boehmcke (Chris), J. Richard Crouse, Jr., Karen Crouse (Ron Linton), son-in-law Curtis Ruppert, as well as her grandchildren Kathleen and Madeline Ruppert; Aric, Andrew and Everett Wilkinson; Paige, Gretchen, Wynn and Jill Boehmcke; Sophie and Elise Linton; and four great grandchildren.

Joan’s family is grateful to her caregivers at Country Meadows and Frederick Health Hospice, who assisted her in her final days.

The family will receive visitors at Keeney-Basford Funeral Home, 16 East Church St., in Frederick on Monday, February 9, 2026 from 2pm to 3pm. A funeral service will be held immediately following at 3pm. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Joan’s name to the Dr. J. Richard Crouse Memorial Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Frederick County. https://www.frederickcountygives.org/funds/dr-j-richard-crouse-memorial-scholarship-fund/