The Robert and Lucy Crom Family

We and our children — Penny, Linda, Randall (Randy) and Richard (Rick) — came to love the lakes and landscape of northern Minnesota over a quarter century of vacationing here. The quiet beauty of the lakes and trees, the fun of fishing, the cool crisp mornings, and beautiful sunsets, and clear night skies were all part of the attraction.

In 1980, long-time friends Jim and Toni Schwartz, called our attention to property for sale on Ten Mile lake. Hackensack realtor Don Jensen helped us acquire the four acres we now call home. Located at the entrance to Long Bay, the property had been part of a property known as “Hijotepe,” owned for many years by the Clyde Thomas family. In the Mid-1920's, Dr. Walter Lloyd Hyde, a dental surgeon from Minneapolis, had leased the spot and built a summer cabin which the Hyde family used and enjoyed for over 25 years. When the lease on the site could not be renewed, the structure was moved across the winter ice to Boone Point where, remodeled and expanded, it is still in use. (In fact, Dr. Hyde’s son Colin, and some members of his family still return almost every summer.)

The journey that actually brought the Croms to Ten Mile Lake extended over forty-three years and took us through five states. Born in Hampton and Newton, Iowa, respectively, we met while students at Iowa State University in Ames, and were married June 9, 1950. From Mason City, IA, where Bob was Farm Service Director with Radio Station KGLO, we went to Washington, DC, where Bob served as U.S. Department of Agriculture radio and television information specialist and Lucy was employed with an insurance adjustment firm. Our first child, Penny, was born in Alexandria, VA in 1952. A year later, the appeal of university work and the attraction of rearing our family in the Midwest drew us to Fargo. Bob served as Director of Communications at north Dakota State University, and in 1959, became Assistant to the President. Linda, Randy, and Rick were born in Fargo. The pursuit of doctoral degree took us to Michigan State University for a year on two separate occasions. In 1966 we moved back to Iowa State University where both of worked for the University until 1988— Lucy as receptionist in the Office of Admissions and Records, Bob as Director of Alumni Affairs (1968-71) and as Dean of University Extension (1981-88).

It was during our Iowa days that we purchased our home site on Ten Mile Lake. However, it wasn’t until 1993, after Bob had completed five years with the national Association of State Universities and Land Grant Colleges in Washington, DC, where he served as Director of Extension and Outreach, the Croms officially became Minnesotans. Since 1993, we have become involved as year round residents in the Hackensack community, as members of the United Congregational Church (UCC) and members of TMLA. Our surviving children, Penny Crom, husband Chris and children Hilary and Max Mroz (Grand Junction, CO); Linda Kearney, husband Bill and children Alisa, Scott, and Nick (Winfield, IL); and Randy and wife Julie Ryan Crom (Washington, DC) continue to vacation with us on Ten Mile Lake.

July, 2002