Shirley Kruse

Shirley Kruse, 82, of St. Lucas, passed away Feb. 8, 2025, at New Hampton Nursing & Rehab Center surrounded by her family.

Mass of Christian Burial was set for 10:30 a.m., Friday, Feb. 14, at St. Luke Catholic Church, St. Lucas, with burial in the church cemetery and visitation from 9 to 10:30 a.m. that day.

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

Shirley worked at St. Mary’s Methodist Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota before marrying Leon Kruse May 24, 1969. To this union six 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; three daughters: Sue Waller, of West Concord, Minnesota; Joan and Mike Boleyn, of Elgin, and Donna and Troy Mohlis, of Sumner; three sons: John and Leah Kruse, of Waucoma; Dale and Lynnette Kruse, of Fort Atkinson, and Larry and Danielle Kruse, of Waukon; 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, Illlinois; three brothers- and sisters-in-law: Melvin and Mary Kruse, of Lawler; Lance and Wilma Mason, of Hampton, and Bill Kelly of Panora; 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.