Shirley Kruse

Shirley Kruse age 82 of St. Lucas, IA passed away on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 14, 2025, at St. Luke’s Catholic Church, 215 East Main St. St. Lucas, IA with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be from 9:00 until 10:30 a.m. before the service on Friday at the church.

Shirley, the daughter of George and Edna (Tiegen) Braaten was born October 6, 1942, in Minnesota. She graduated high school in Austin, MN.

Shirley worked at St. Mary’s Methodist Hospital in Rochester, MN before marrying Leon Kruse on May 24, 1969. To this union 6 children were born, Susan, Joan, John, Donna, Dale, and Larry. After renting a house in the Fort Atkinson area for several years, the couple settled at the Kruse family farm just north of St. Lucas where Shirley worked in the hatchery and around the home and farm for many years.

Shirley enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She liked going to dances with friends and canning produce from the garden. She expressed her love through food and passed on many lessons about cooking, baking, and canning. There was always room for one more at Shirley’s table.

Shirley is survived by her husband: Leon of St. Lucas, IA; three daughters: Sue Waller of West Concord, MN, Joan and Mike Boleyn of Elgin, IA, and Donna and Troy Mohlis of Sumner, IA; three sons: John and Leah Kruse of Waucoma, IA, Dale and Lynnette Kruse of Fort Atkinson, IA, and Larry and Danielle Kruse of Waukon, IA; 19 grandchildren: Travis Kruse; Josh and Grace Boleyn, Val and Lance Zobel; Cody and Lindsay Mosher, Kalyn and Ben Schmitt, JD Kruse; Austin Fischer, Brady Fischer, Preston and Katie Mohlis, Auston and Megan Mohlis, Tessa and Kyle Burgart, Triston and Desiree Mohlis; Hunter Kruse, Levi Kruse, Nora Kruse; Cole Kruse, Devynne Kruse, Walker Kruse and Colter Kruse. 20 great-grandchildren: Rylie Kruse-Waller, Gunner Kruse; Weston Zobel, Lennon Boleyn; Corbin Schmitt, Kinley Schmitt, Kayce Mosher; Maxie Mohlis, Keira Mohlis; Kyleena Mohlis, Nadia Mohlis, Vivienna Mohlis, Kallum Mohlis, Alessandra Mohlis, Jessmina Mohlis; Skylar Burgart, Remi Burgart, Aurora Burgart; Ganon Mohlis, Rhett Mohlis; one sister: Jean Tituts of Washington, IL; three brothers- and sisters-in-law: Melvin and Mary Kruse of Lawler, IA, Lance and Wilma Mason of Hampton, IA, and Bill Kelly of Panora, IA; along with many nieces and nephews.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, her mother- and father-in-law Alois and Elizabeth “Betty” Kruse, one son-in-law Jerry Waller, one granddaughter Sara Boleyn, and one sister-in-law Mary Ann Kelly.