Elizabeth "Betty" Kruse

Elizabeth “Betty” Kruse, age 102, of St. Lucas, IA, died on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at Traditions in West Union, IA. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA, with Rev. Aaron Junge presiding. Burial will be in the Church cemetery. Visitation will be after 9:00 a.m. at the Church on Tuesday morning. The Schluter-Balik Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Elizabeth Rose (Halbur) Kruse was born on September 27, 1916 the daughter of F. John and Anna (Friedman) Halbur near Iona, MN. She attended St. Columbia Catholic School in Iona, MN. Elizabeth was united in marriage to Alois Kruse on April 14, 1941 in Winona, MN and to this union four children were born. Together, Alois and Elizabeth farmed until they retired in 1971. Elizabeth enjoyed cooking for church and other people’s parties also. She loved planting her garden and canning everything that she grew. She loved making quilts and made two for each of her children and one for each grandchild. Elizabeth was a member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church in St. Lucas, IA. Betty is survived by her children: Leon (Shirley) Kruse, Ft. Atkinson, IA; Melvin (Mary) Kruse, Lawler, IA; Wilma (Lance) Mason, Hampton, IA. Son-in-law: William Kelly, Panora, IA. Sister-in-law: Lorraine Halbur, Fulda, MN along with many grandchildren, great-grandchilren and great- great grandchildren. Betty was preceded in death by her husband Alois Kruse. Parents: John and Anna (Friedman) Halbur. Father and mother-in-law: Ben and Margaret Kruse. Daughter: Mary Ann Kelly. Siblings: John (Anna) Halbur, Peter (Anna) Halbur, William (Marie) Halbur, Anthony (Mamie) Halbur, Mary Halbur, Frank (Tess) Halbur, Joe (Susan) Halbur, Nick (Teresa) Halbur, Sister Allan Halbur, Sister Evelyn Halbur, Lawrence Halbur, Brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Andrew (Bernadette) Kruse and her great-granddaughter: Sara Jo Kruse.