Elizabeth “Betty” Kruse

Monday, August 5, 2019 2:16 pm

Elizabeth “Betty” Kruse, 102, of St. Lucas, died Wednesday, July 31, 2019, at Traditions in West Union. Mass of Christian Burial is at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, with Rev. Aaron Junge presiding. Burial is in the church cemetery. Visitation is after 9 a.m. at the church Tuesday morning. Organist is Kathy Meyer. Soloist is Lynette Wheeler. St. Luke’s Choir sang “Here I Am Lord,” “You Are Mine,” “Gift of Finest Wheat” and “How Great Thou Art.” Lector is Kalyn Kruse. Eucharistic ministers are Mary and Melvin Kruse. Offertory gift bearers are grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Casket bearers are grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Arrangements are being handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Chekal Chapel, Fort Atkinson.

Elizabeth Rose (Halbur) Kruse was born Sept. 27, 1916, the daughter of F. John and Anna (Friedman) Halbur near Iona, Minn. She attended St. Columbia Catholic School in Iona, Min. Elizabeth was united in marriage to Alois Kruse April 14, 1941, in Winona, Minn, and to this union four children were born. Together, Alois and Elizabeth farmed until they retired in 1971. Elizabeth enjoyed cooking for church and other people’s parties also. She loved planting her garden and canning everything that she grew. She loved making quilts and made two for each of her children and one for each grandchild. Elizabeth was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas.

Betty is survived by her children: Leon (Shirley) Kruse, Ft. Atkinson; Melvin (Mary) Kruse, Lawler; Wilma (Lance) Mason, Hampton; son-in-law, William Kelly, Panora; sister-in-law, Lorraine Halbur, Fulda, Minn.; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchilren and great-great grandchildren.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Alois Kruse; parents, John and Anna (Friedman) Halbur; father and mother-in-law, Ben and Margaret Kruse; daughter, Mary Ann Kelly; siblings: John (Anna) Halbur, Peter (Anna) Halbur, William (Marie) Halbur, Anthony (Mamie) Halbur, Mary Halbur, Frank (Tess) Halbur, Joe (Susan) Halbur, Nick (Teresa) Halbur, Sister Allan Halbur, Sister Evelyn Halbur, Lawrence Halbur; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Andrew (Bernadette) Kruse; and her great-granddaughter, Sara Jo Kruse.