Arden Del Croucher

Arden Del Croucher, age 95, of Gloversville, New York passed away October 21, 2026. She was born March 30, 1931 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the daughter of Martin and Ellen Wicksell. Her family moved to the area when she was in grade school and she graduated from Gloversville High School class of 1949. Two years later in 1951 she graduated from the Albany Med School of Nursing, having earned her R.N.

She was employed by Nathan Littauer Hospital from 1951-1963 as an Operating Room nurse and an Emergency Room nurse. In 1951, she married Kenneth N. Croucher and shared 68 beautiful years of marriage before his passing in 2021. After they were married, they moved into their home in Meco and in 1958 welcomed their only child, Shawn. They built their lake cabin in Wells in 1961.

In 1952, Ken wanted to learn to ski, so together they learned and became experts, sharing the love for skiing well into their 80's. They became ski patrollers for Royal Mountain, Oak Mountain, and Silver Bells Mountain in Wells. From 1973 until 1976 Arden and Ken, along with John and Linda Calahan as partners ran Silver Bells until its closure.

Ken and Arden bought a house in Heber, Utah in their 60's and became greeters and mountain guides there. They enjoyed many trips to Europe through the years, notably to Sweden, England, France, Italy, and Austria. Arden's father was a Swedish Immigrant who served in the Swedish Navy. He met her mother Ellen Pierson at a dance in Chicago and the rest was history. They married and started a life in Pittsfield, Massachusetts before ultimately settling in Gloversville. At 6 years old, Arden went to Sweden for several months with her mother while her brother, Harry, stayed in America.

During her nursing career, Arden began substitute teaching as a way to make ends meet and bring in extra income for her family. It was then that she discovered the love that combined both her nursing skills and education and inspired her to return to school in her late 30's to earn her School Nurse Teacher Certificate from Russell Sage College. She retired from the Canajoharie Central School district after years of faithful service as a Registered Nurse SNT.

Arden is survived by her son Shawn Croucher (Deanna); grandchildren Steven Croucher (Joanna Ferreri) of Greenville, South Carolina, Michelle Cobler (David) and their children, Arden's great grandchildren Jackson and Kate of Lebanon, Pennsylvania and Wesley Croucher (Annika) of Bend, Oregon.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved husband, Ken, and her brother Harry.

A private celebration of life for immediate family only, will be held on November 27. The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers.

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to the National Ski Patrol 133 S. Van Gordon Street Suite 100 Lakewood, Colorado 80228 https://nspserves.org/donate or to the National Association of School Nurses http://www.nasn.org/home