John Kruse

John A. Kruse, age 81, passed away January 2, 2009. He was born to John and Grace (Rewerts) Kruse on March 2, 1927 in Lynn Township, McLeod County, MN. In 1934 the family moved to rural Cedar Mills, MN. He received his education at St John's parochial school. On June 12, 1949 he married Evelyn Grussing and they farmed in Acoma Township, McLeod County, MN. Their marriage was blessed with six children. In 1978 they purchased the Hutch Auction Market. He continued the operation of the Auction Market and conducted other auctions in the area. John was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, rural Hutchinson, where he served as a choir member 30 years and also as choir chairman. He later joined Our Saviors Lutheran in Hutchinson serving as a member of the choir, Board of Trustees, and the school board. In 1997 they moved to a lake home in Pequot Lakes, MN where they joined the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. He continued in the auction business and enjoyed doing benefit auctions. John had a great capacity to love and had a keen awareness of his children's and grandchildren's comings and goings. A great pleasure in his last years was seeing his great-grandchildren, always producing warm smiles and obvious tenderness. John also loved and respected his friend, Lois, who he met at widowed friends. She showed her love to John with her faithful care and visits. Everyone who knew John knew of his great love of fishing and have many tales they could tell of those times.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn; his parents; brothers George, Fred and Gerhardt; sister Elizabeth Treichler; sister-in-law, Evangaline Kruse; and several brothers-in-law.
He is survived by special friend: Lois Lysdahl; his children: Linda (Tim) Johnson of St. Paul, MN, Judy (Larry) Lind of Kandiyohi, MN, Jan (LeRoy) Schmandt of Hutchinson, MN, John C. (Wendi) Kruse of Deer River, MN, Jim (Karol) Kruse of Brainerd, MN, David Kruse of St. Paul, MN; 16 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren; sisters in-law: Verona Kruse, DeLorna Kruse, Betty Ann Nass; brother in-law, Waldemar Grussing; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, January 5, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Pequot Lakes, MN. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow the service at the Pequot Lakes Village Cemetery.