April 2, 1923 — Feb. 5, 2017
LONE ROCK — Willie Kruse, age 93 of Lone Rock, passed away Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017 at the Hawkeye Care Center in Bancroft. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 8, at 10:30 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lotts Creek with the Rev. David Bergquist officiating.
Burial will take place at Lotts Creek Lutheran Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the Lone Rock American Legion Kerr-Hammerstrom Post No. 557.
Willie R. Kruse was born on April 2, 1923 in Buffalo Center, to parents Robert and Minnie (Mayland) Kruse. In June of 1943 Willie enlisted in the U.S. Army serving during World War II. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945. On July 14, 1949 Willie married Caroline Harms in Wellsburg. Willie was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Lotts Creek and was just awarded his 70-year membership certificate with the Lone Rock American Legion Kerr-Hammerstrom Post No. 557. Willie loved driving semi in his later years, spending time with the coffee group and was always wanting to learn something new.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Caroline of Lone Rock; his children, Linda (Gary) Huber of Burt, Butch (Lavon) Kruse of Lone Rock and Darin Kruse of Lone Rock; twelve grandchildren: Lynn Huber, Lee (Brenda) Huber, Calvin Kruse, Trevor Kruse, Cory Kruse, Christina (Keith) Vaske, Jennifer (Marc) Chaplin, Heather Cochran and Donnie Cochran; nine great grandchildren: Luke, Faith Huber, Gillian, Kayla, Natasha, Kylie, Kinsey, Kayden and Makenna; sister, Wilhelmine Janssen of Granada, Minnesota and brother, Raymond (Arlene) Kruse of Buena Vista, Arkansas. Willie is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Katherine Meinders.
In lieu of flowers, Willie’s family requests memorials to be made in his honor and directed towards Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2706 50th Ave., Lone Rock, IA 50559 or American Legion Kerr-Hammerstrom Post #557, Lone Rock, IA 50559. Condolences may be left at www.lentzfuneralhome.com
Willie Kruse
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