Ralph J. Kruse

Ralph John Kruse was born at Mapleton, Iowa, October 11, 1926, the son of Henry and Freda Meyer Kruse. He was received into God?s Kingdom of Grace through the Sacrament of Holy Baptism at St. Mathew Lutheran Church in Mapleton October 31, 1926 and confirmed in his Christian Faith there May 12, 1940. He was raised on the farm at Mapleton and received his education in the rural schools. Following his schooling he was employed by area farmers. On February 7, 1951, Ralph was united in marriage with Lucille Klaus at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute. Their union was blessed with three children, Rita, Roger and Kevin. They farmed in the Ute, Ricketts and Battle Creek areas before moving to the farm at Denison in 1966. In addition to his farming career, Ralph was employed at Jahnke Implement and K & S Implement in Denison. Ralph retired from farming in 1989 and he and Lucille moved into Denison where he was employed part time at S & S, for Arnie Poggensee at Crawford County Ice Company and the Denison Newspapers. He will be remembered by his family and friends for his love of gardening, having been blessed with a "green thumb" and his ability to repair anything that was broken. He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison where he was also a member of their Voters Assembly and the Zion Fellowship Club. Ralph died Sunday, March 23, 2008, at Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his death he had been blessed with 81 years, 5 months and 12 days. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents. Those remaining to cherish and honor his memory include his wife of over 57 years, Lucille Kruse of Denison, three children Rita and husband, Chuck Eggers of Denison, Roger Kruse and wife, Cathy of Denison and Kevin Kruse of Alpha, Minnesota, 5 grandchildren, Rachael Eggers of Yuma, Arizona, Christen Eggers of Phoenix, Arizona, Ben Kruse and Katie Kruse of Denison, Allyson Kruse of Alpha, Minnesota, one great granddaughter, Jayden Young of Ute, five siblings, Mahela Wendt of Ricketts, Marvin Kruse and wife, Joyce of Mapleton, Clara Hoffmeier of Denison, Howard Kruse of Mapleton and Delores Gosch of Mapleton, other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, March 27, 2008 at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa, with the Rev. Kurt R. Kaiser and the Rev. David M. Sewing officiating. Music for the service included three congregational hymns, "What A Friend We Have In Jesus", "Here I Am Lord" and "Christ the Lord Is Risen Today" with Jeanette Venzke serving as organist. Pallbearers included Rachael Eggers, Christen Eggers, Ben Kruse, Dennis Bergstadt, Leonard Seieroe and Ronald Behrendsen. Interment was at Oakland Cemetery in Denison. Following the services the family invited everyone to return to the church and join them for fellowship and a luncheon prepared and served by Zion Dorcas Society. The Pfannebecker Funeral Home in Denison was in charge of arrangements where online condolences may be directed to www.pfannebecker.com .