Dr. Crabtree

Dr. Eric C. Crabtree, 41, of Ironton, MN, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2015 in Minneapolis, MN. A Celebration of Life for Eric will be held at 3:00PM, Friday, November 13, 2015 at The Journey North Church in Baxter, MN with Pastor Mark Bjorlo officiating. Family and friends are welcome to gather for a reception immediately following at 4:00PM at the church.

Eric was born April 6, 1974 in Owatonna, MN to Robert and Leah (Wiersma) Crabtree. He graduated from New Ulm High School in 1992. Eric went on to NDSU from 1992-1994 and then graduated from the University of Minnesota Morris in 1996. Eric was united in marriage to Bridget Kimmes on September 14, 1996 in Brooklyn Center. He graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Medicine, completed his internship at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington and finished his residency in Anthesiology at the University of Iowa. Eric entered the United States Air Force prior to Medical School and served at Eglin Air Force Base and in Iraq after residency. Following his Honorable Discharge, he and Bridget relocated to Brainerd in 2009 where he worked for Essentia Health and Sheridan Health Care. Eric enjoyed the outdoors, caring for rescue horses, his dogs and all animals; he was especially committed to preserving the land and wildlife. He also was passionate about doing Mission work with his church-The Journey North Church. Eric was honored to be a physician, but most importantly proud of his family.

Eric is survived by his wife, Bridget; children Lauren and Samina Crabtree, both at home; parents, Robert and Leah Crabtree of Brainerd, MN; brother, Dr. Joshua (Emily) Crabtree of Luverne, MN; sister, Emily (Mikel) Olson of Moorhead, MN; grandmother, Helen Wiersma Slegh of Albert Lea, MN; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by grandfather, William Wiersma and Charles Henry Crabtree; grandmother, Beulah Ferguson Crabtree.Arrangements have been entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter, MN.

A Memorial Fund has been established in Eric's honor to build an educational facility in Honduras, fund physicians in mission, and to purchase property adjacent to The Journey North. If interested in contributing, donations can be made online at www.thejourneynorth.com or mailed to The Journey North Church at 6785 Woida Road N. Baxter, MN 56425. Kindly reference the Eric Crabtree memorial fund in your online or mailed memorial.