John Kruse

John D. Kruse, 75, of Ogden, Iowa, passed away Monday morning, December 5, 2011, at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames.

Funeral services will be held 1:30 p.m., Thursday, December 8, 2011, at Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden. Rev. Stephen Ude will officiate. Burial will be at Glenwood Cemetery in Ogden. Visitation will be Wednesday, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden.

John Donald Kruse was born on February 19, 1936, in Ogden, Iowa, the son of Orsen and Esther (Walkinshaw) Kruse. He graduated with the Ogden High School class of 1955. From 1954 to 1962, John served in the Iowa National Guard in the Headquarters Battery #185 and later transferring to the 34th Aviation Unit.

On October 25, 1958, John was united in marriage to Lillian Fairchild at Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden.

John worked for the Highway Commission from 1955 to 1957, Earl May in Boone from 1957 to 1958, and Ogden Building Materials from 1958 to 1970. In 1970, John started his career with Northern Natural Gas/Enron where he remained until retiring in 1996.

John belonged Zion Lutheran Church in Ogden where served as a Church Elder. He was a former member of the Ogden Jaycees, and a 40+ year member of their Card Club. Following retirement John enjoyed working for Hollingshead Farms and mowing the Ogden High School lawn.

Among the survivors are his wife of 53 years, Lillian Kruse of Ogden, Iowa; daughter, Kara Kruse of Ogden, Iowa; two grandchildren, Sydney and Seth Bishop; foster son, Obadiah Lack of New York, New York; two sisters, Patti (Terry) Beckman of Ogden, Iowa, and Cecile Kirk of Hemet, California; one brother, James Kruse of Grand Junction, Colorado; a sister-in-law, Arlys Westrum of Stratford, Iowa; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Marilyn Schall.

Memorials may be left to the discretion of the family.