Obituary for Harold Arthur Kruse

The oldest of seven children, Harold grew up working alongside his father on the farm that he cared for with joy and devotion. A graduate of Caledonia High School, he played basketball and was awarded the State Farmer degree by the FFA. On April 9, 1961, he married Alice Kuecker and they were the loving parents of two sons, Daniel and Timothy. In 2005, he and Alice moved to Caledonia, delighted to have their son, Tim, and his family become the next generation on their family dairy farm. Yet even retirement couldn't stop Harold from going out to the farm every day to feed calves, drive his tractors, fix anything that needed fixing, talk farming for hours, and to see his grandchildren, the light of his life. And whenever he wasn't farming, he and Alice loved playing cards, entertaining friends and family, and tending to their beautiful gardens.

Carpentry was another passion, and with it, Harold built many lasting legacies. Every inch of the house on his farm was made with his own two hands, as were many of his other farm buildings, and he was proud to have helped plan and construct the new addition to St. John's Lutheran School.

Harold was a faithful and life-long member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Caledonia. He served on the church council and the St. John's school board. His faith and trust in his heavenly Father was the foundation of his life, and it showed in everything he did as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend.

Harold is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Alice; their two sons, Dan (Becky) Kruse and Tim (Kathy) Kruse; and their three cherished grandchildren Marissa, Erica and Trevor Kruse.

He is also survived by his sisters and brother: Erna Krzebietke, Dorothy Kruse (special friend Kenny Schulze), Phyllis (Leroy) Kohlmeyer, Cheryl Skadsem, Joyce (Myron) Rediske and Devoine (Linda) Kruse. Also his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Marilyn (Duane) Thomford and John (Kathy) Kuecker and many nieces and nephews and long-time friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers-in-law and sister-in-law: Paul Krzebietke, Kenneth Kuecker, Stanley Kuecker and Shirley Betz.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church, 650 N. Kingston St., Caledonia. Rev. Tom Schultz will officiate. Burial will follow in Evergreen Cemetery. A visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m., until 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the church.

Online condolences may be offered at this site.