Justin Cronin
October 9, 1980 ~ November 11, 2020
Click here to view Justin's Wake and Funeral service live
Justin Cronin, 40, of Gettysburg, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2020, at his home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 a.m., Thursday, November 19, 2020 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg, with Fr. Grant Lacey presiding. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Gettysburg. Visitation will be 3:00 p.m.–7:00 p.m., with a wake at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 18, 2020, at the church. Those attending are required to wear masks. A live broadcast of the service will also be available.
Justin Robert Cronin was born October 9, 1980 in Sioux Falls, SD to Daniel Carl and Janet (Bown) Cronin. He was a graduate of the Gettysburg High School Class of 1999. Justin continued his education at Holy Cross College, Notre Dame, IN for two years before graduating from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN with a bachelor’s degree in business.
In 2003 Justin went to work for Cahill, Schaefbauer and Associates, working with them until 2006. During this time, from 2005-2007 he served as the executive director of the Gettysburg Whitlock Bay Development Corporation. In 2006, he became the co-owner of J & B Quickstop, operating it until 2012 when he lost the business to a fire.
On December 31, 2010, Justin was united in marriage to Deb Hanson at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg. To this union, he gained three children and one daughter Kea.
Politics was a large part of Justin’s life. He found it an honor to serve the people of District 23, which he did from 2009 – 2017, serving from the SD House of Representatives. From 2011-2015, he was the assistant majority leader and he served as the chair of the appropriations committee from 2015-2017. He continued his service as a senator for District 23 from 2017-2019. Justin has also had the privilege of serving on the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL); serving on several committees and task forces to include: founding co-chair of the Agriculture Task Force, member of the State and Local Tax Task Force, and a vice-chair of the Natural Resources and Infrastructure Committee. He was also instrumental in getting legislation passed for the SD vs. Wayfair decision from the United States Supreme Court as well as being an active participant in the NCSL Leaders Programs. His involvement in the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) included serving as a member of the Energy Environment Committee. Lastly, he served as a delegate for the Streamline Sales Tax Governing Board.
Justin was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Gettysburg, where he was active in the Knights of Columbus. He also served as a board of director for Avera St. Mary’s Hospital. In his free time, Justin enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, cooking, and being a huge supporter of Notre Dame athletics.
Justin’s life will be cherished by his wife, Deb; daughter, Kea; children: Sierra, Autumn, and Colt, all of Gettysburg; mother, Janet of Gettysburg; his brothers: Monty (Nancy), Mike (Jamie), Matt (Janet) and Jim Cronin, all of Gettysburg; sister, Susan (Kenny) Meidinger of Zeeland, ND; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Allen and Dot Hanson of Ree Heights; 15 nieces and nephews, and 17 great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father, Dan Cronin; paternal grandparents: Carl and Dorothy Cronin; maternal grandparents: Robert and Dorothy Bown; niece, AJ Cronin; and great nephew, Creed Brownridge.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Avera Gettysburg Hospital, 606 E Garfield Ave, Gettysburg, SD 57442 or Gettysburg AA, 104 North Exene St, Gettysburg, SD 57442.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Justin’s arrangements.
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Justin made a difference in so many lives. I am glad I can say I was one of them. My heart goes out to his family during this hard time. "When someone we love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure. May you treasure all the memories you had with Justin." Prayers to everyone!
My deepest sympathy to all of Justin’s family. My thoughts are with you as you navigate this difficult time. Lives were changed simply by knowing him, and now again with his loss.
My heart breaks for your loss. Justin was always around when we would come visit Gettysburg. He made us feel so welcome and loved. I know he will be missed. We will be praying for you all. ♥️
So very sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you all
To Justin's family: I want you to know something Justin did for me when Jim was hospitalized before the transplant surgery.
I received a text message from Justin about a day maybe prior to Jim having a donor. Justin's text was something to this effect. He said he had thought about stopping to see us so many times but had just not done it. No real explanation. I think it was just too difficult. He said the entire area was praying for Jim but he was praying for me! He referred to what his mother had gone through when Dan was ill and passed away. Then he just said he prayed for me.
I can't begin to tell you how much that meant to me!
My heart breaks for all of you!
He was an inspiration to so many of us!! Maybe the Lord needs his wealth of compassion.
May God comfort you!
Ladonna
I have many fond memories of Justin and me trying to be successful outdoorsmen in high school. One such instance resulted in us getting stuck in a snowbank on the river, in the dark, with no shovels. So we ended up having to shovel out with a lid from a bucket. We barely made it back to town in time for play practice! He had some of the craziest stories! Some true, some not, I suspect, which made them even more fun to hear. He truly was one of kind and will be missed dearly. My condolences to all family and friends–he was taken much before his time.
I was so saddened to hear of Justin’s passing. I met Justin at SDSU through some of his Gettysburg friends – Becky and Amber. He was such a kind and fun guy to be around. I remember Justin as always being happy – and having a story to share. You could tell his love for Notre Dame and his family were two of his most favorite things! Only fond memories of hanging out with Justin – and his Gettysburg friends. Thinking of you all!
It was an honor to know him, to get to work with him and to get to witness the true kindness of his heart. He could bring a smile to the darkest of occasions and he was a joyful soul.
Justin, will be missed by all of us and we are so saddened by the news.
To his daughter, I hope she knows her father was a kind man who loved her so very dearly.
Janet and family,
I am so very sorry for your loss. While I didn't have the privilege of knowing Justin, I wish I had, he sounds like a great guy.
My heart goes out to you in your sorrow and my prayers are for your comfort and peace in this terrible time of loss.
Steve and Judy (Larrington) Seefeld
Our sincere sympathy goes to all of Justin's family. We will be keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
My heart aches at this news of the loss of a good friend. But my heart aches even more for Justin's family and friends. Please know that my prayers go out to each of you. Justin and I had planned a trip to the Black Hills for late next summer; he had access to the Custer State Park buffalo roundup and I with access to Ellsworth Air Force Base, which he always wanted to visit. I may take that candle and go in his memory. Soar high with the angels my friend.
Our deepest sympathy to the Cronin family in the sudden loss of Justin. Our thoughts are with you.
We are soo sad to hear of Justin‘s passing. Our prayers for the family . Always a fun and considerate guy. Treasure the Memories. Patty and Charles Pathmann
There was never a time when Justin wouldn’t make you feel like you were home. He was always the first one to make sure you were welcome. Praying for his soul to be at peace and his family to cherish the memories
In the 10+ years that I had known Justin – not a day went by that he couldn't change your mood to light and carefree. He was a pillar in the community and in the state of South Dakota. He will be greatly missed and the stories and memories will be forever held close to my heart. Prayers for all of his family, friends and colleagues that were so blessed to know this man.
Susan and I are sad to hear of your loss. Justin was so kind, compassionate and always considerate of others. Even to the few Democrats who sat across the isle from him. Our state and the Gettysburg community will really miss him.
Justin was the ultimate host.
He was a friend to all that knew him.
He will certainly be missed but never forgotten.
My heart breaks for his family.
Thoughts and prayers are with you Deb and your family during this difficult time. May the good Lord shower you all with his blessings and give you peace. Deepest sympathies.
Deb (DSS family)
We are so dearly saddened to hear of the loss of Justin. Justin was always such a big personality. He would light up the room with his smile and his jokes. He will be dearly missed, our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.
Justin was a real leader in a number of ways and his loss will be felt. However we can remember and build upon the passion he had for his family, the community, the land, and our state and country. I only knew Justin for a short time but he was a visionary for regenerative agriculture and influenced many, many individuals who learned from him and are spreading the benefits of these practices. My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Justin was one o f a kind and will be dearly missed. Gonna miss our fishing trips and BS sessions at the river. Prayers for the family and friends.
My condolences to the Cronin family and Justin’s friends.
Deb and family: Our heartfelt sympathy. Words feel so inadequate at this time. However as your hearts start to mend may God be there to guide you . Memories are always yours to recall.
I am so sorry to hear of the unexpected loss of Justin Cronin. My deepest sympathies are with family and friends who knew him best and I offer all of you my support during this difficult time. Please know that the family is in my thoughts and prayers.
With my deepest and heartfelt condolences.
Jeremy Hurd
Hoven, SD
I had the privilege to serve in the Legislature with then Rep Cronin. He always had a smile and a positive attitude about doing the "the right thing". And it was always accompanied with a story! Never forget one time we collaborated on a bill – him in the House and me in the Senate that got us both in trouble with friends, but we agreed it was the right thing to do. Great person, going to miss him – and his stories!
Long time no see. You sure made my year in the States something speciel. You’re one of a kind and may we meet again some day.
My heart aches at this loss. Justin and I spent a lot of time together during our college days and oh the fun we had (and trouble we got into!). Justins love, laughter and larger than life personality will never be forgotten. Love and prayers to his family.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the Cronin Family, Citizens of Gettysburg, and the State of South Dakota. Justin Cronin was my boss when he was the Chair on the Joint Committee on Appropriations. I've seen him at his best and when he had a bad day. He was a very special person, appreciated, and can't be replaced. I will miss him. Best regards.
You opened up your home and your family to my daughter Isabella for her year at high school. I’m so grateful for the opportunity you and your family gave her. I never got to meet you in person but I know you had lots of love to the people around you. Bless you.