Donald "Don" Kruse

     Don Kruse, age 70, of St. Lucas, IA, died suddenly on Friday, July 31, 2015, at his home near St. Lucas, IA.      A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 4, 2015, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 307 East Main Street, St. Lucas, IA, with Monsignor Carl Schmitt presiding.      Visitation will be held after 9:00 a.m., on Tuesday at the church in St. Lucas. The Schluter – Balik Funeral Home in Decorah is in charge of arrangements.        Don Ralph Kruse was born December 24, 1944 to Neal and Melania Kuennen Kruse of St. Lucas. Don lived the entirety of his life in the St. Lucas community. He graduated from St. Luke’s Catholic High School. He married Jeanette Hlubek on June 5, 1965 and they raised two children, Kim and Kelley. They later divorced. He worked for John Deere in Waterloo for 38 years until his retirement in 2001. For several years in the 1970’s he owned and operated Don’s Mobil in St. Lucas. Don was a skilled and meticulous mechanic. Don was known for his congenial personality and his infectious laugh. He enjoyed working on machines of all types, particularly automobiles. In his younger years he raced stock cars and ran demolition derby cars. On March 17th, 2000, Don married Karen Brownlee. Together they enjoyed golfing and spending time with their many grandchildren.    Don is survived by his beloved spouse, Karen Kruse, St. Lucas, IA; daughters, Kim (Collin) Bender of Waconia, MN, Kelley (Joe) Pujol of Cape Girardeau, MO; Karen’s children: Jody (Kris) Burrows of Holmen, WI; Jennifer (Chad) Boebel of Hernando, MS; and Jason (Janet) Boebel of Cassville, WI.   He is also survived by brother, Jean (Glenda) Kruse of Oakdale, CA; sisters: Helen Pinter of Fort Atkinson, Mary (Tom) Karau of Scottsdale, AZ, and Anne (Dale) Olson of Bozeman, MT. His grandchildren are: Brock, Blake, and Haley Bender; Allie, Jacie, and Carly Pujol; Brandon and Paige Howell; Aaron, Jett, Abrham, and Gianni Boebel; and Zebulon Riley.         Don was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Melania Kruse; brothers, Jerome (Barb) Kruse, James Kruse, brother-in-law, Donald Pinter, Sr., parents-in-law, Adeline and Leland Brownlee.