George Kruse

Tuesday, February 16, 2016 8:33 pm

George Kruse, Jr., 94, of Decorah, died Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016, at the Green Lea Manor Nursing Home in Mabel, Minn. Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at Mabel First Lutheran Church in Mabel, Minn. with Rev. Elliott Malm officiating. Organist was Joyce Raaen. Hymn was “Amazing Grace”; recessional music was “It’s a Wonderful Life” by Louis Armstrong; Solos were by Randy Snell (“His Eye is on the Sparrow,” accompanied by Susan Snell) and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Casket bearers were Tim Kruse, David Casper, Seth Gilmore, Carl Monzel, John Olmscheid, Andrew Brown, Steven Casper, Clive Heke and Christopher Kruse. Military rites were by Joseph B. Lund Post No. 299 in Mabel, Minn. Interment was at Mabel Cemetery in Mabel, Minn. Arrangements were handled by Schluter – Balik Funeral Home, Decorah.

George Frederick Kruse, Jr., was born Aug. 18, 1921, the son of George and Cloa (Mitchell) Kruse, Sr. in Luana. George attended school in Frankville, and graduated from Decorah High School in 1939. George moved with his family near Burr Oak, and farmed with his father. George was united in marriage to Donna Tollefsrud Aug. 18, 1942, at Big Canoe Lutheran Church in rural Decorah. This union was blessed with four children: Robert, Gary, Lynee and Geoffrey. George farmed north of Decorah with Donna working alongside her husband. George served in WWII, from 1943-45. George was a farmer to the core, who loved the land and enjoyed all aspects of the farm. George enjoyed dancing with Donna at Matters, fishing and wintering in Mission, Texas. He also enjoyed nature and reading his National Geographic. George always had a “song in his heart” and loved to sing throughout his life. In 2010, George was so grateful to take part in an Honor Flight to Washington D.C. He was also presented a Quilt of Honor for his service. George was a member of the Mabel First Lutheran Church, where he was an active member, serving on the Board as well as superintendent of Sunday School.
George is survived by his four children: Robert (Priscilla) Kruse, Wayzata, Minn., Gary (Eloise) Kruse, St. Cloud, Minn., Lynee (John) Casper,

Urbandale, and Geoffrey (Mary) Kruse, Decorah; 11 grandchildren: Haley (Carl) Monzel, Kerri (Seth) Gilmore, Christopher and Elizabeth Kruse, Tim (Heidi) Kruse, April (John) Olmscheid, Jennifer (Clive) Heke, David (Laura) Casper, Steven (Debbie Collins) Casper, Kylie (fiancé, Andrew Brown) Kruse and Kelsey Kruse; great-grandchildren: Adele, Ava and Ethan Casper, Max and Cam Monzel, Valette Heke, Olivia Casper and Elizabeth Collins, Nolan and Joseph Gilmore; four sisters-in-law: Margaret Kemple, Rochester, Minn., Inga Halvorson, Wabasha, Minn., Delores Armstrong, West Plains, Mo., Florence Headington, Decorah; along with many nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents, George and Cloa (Mitchell) Kruse; his wife, Donna, Feb. 20, 2011; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Selma (Herbranson) Tollefsrud; two sisters, Velva (Alert) Lovstuen and Mila Mae (Milton) Lovstuen; brothers-in-law: Truman (Beth) Tollefsrud Gilman (Irene) Tollefsrud and Charles (Lucille) Tollefsrud, Richard Kemple, Duane Halvorson, Bob Armstrong and Milo Headington; sisters-in-law, Gloria (Bernie) Lind and LuVerne (Raymond) Hegland.