Obituary of Martin Joseph Kruse

PETERSBURG, IOWA

Martin J. Kruse, 77, of Petersburg died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on March 23^rd 2018.

Friends and relatives of Martin may call from 2:00 to 8:00pm, Tuesday, March 27^th as well as 9:30-10:30 am on Wednesday, March 28^th at the Kramer Funeral Home, 750 12^th Ave SW in Dyersville, IA.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am Wednesday, March 28, 2018, at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Petersburg, IA with Fr. Phil Kruse presiding. Burial will be held in the parish cemetery.

The son of Emil and Hyacinth (Bruggemann), Martin was born July 14, 1940, in Petersburg on the family farm. He attended SS Peter & Paul Catholic School in Petersburg. Following his 8^th grade graduation, Martin began a lifetime journey of farming. He married Joann Ries at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Sands Springs, on June 11, 1963, and together they farmed and raised their family.

Martin’s true loves were his faith, family, farming, friends and fishing. As a lifelong member of SS Peter and Paul Catholic church, Martin served on numerous church and school boards and could always be found in the front row of the parish auction. He dearly loved his family and shared their passions for agriculture, his grandchildren’s ball games and the family’s Minnesota fishing trips for 40 years. Martin will be remembered most for his passion for farming, wearing pin-striped bib overalls and having a red hankie in his pocket. Martin loved driving red tractors and looking at his black cows. For 59 years, he made it clear to his family that it was his job to plant and combine the crops. He was so proud of the numerous awards he and Joann won throughout the years, especially Master Pork Producer and Distinguished Dairy Family.  For 60 years, the highlight of many weekends was playing poker with his forever Petersburg friends.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 55 years, Joann, children: Mike (Lois) Kruse of Petersburg, Karen (John) Olson of West Des Moines, Steve (Dena) Kruse of Petersburg, Kathy (Tom) Neuberger of Davenport, Mark (Rachel) Kruse of Earlville, Sara (Randy) Sievert of De Pere, WI; grandchildren: Mitch, Logan and Kael Kruse of Petersburg, Ben, Sam, Jake and Ellie Olson of West Des Moines, Isabell, Maddy and Aden Kruse of Petersburg, David and Lucy Neuberger of Davenport, Mason Kruse of Earlville and Isaac and Ian Sievert of De Pere, WI; siblings: Sr Bertha Kruse, OSF of Dubuque, Angie Kruse-Oberbroeckling of Dyersville, Gene (Betty) of Colesburg, Fr. Phil Kruse of Bellevue and Al (Wendy) Kruse of Colesburg; in-laws: Charles (Gerry) Ries of Shellsburg, John (Ruth) Ries of Hopkinton, Mary (Ralph) Brown of Edgewood, Frank (Cheryl) Ries of Hopkinton, Kathy (Jerry) Becker of Dyersville, Fred (Sandy) Ries of Central City, Ed (Eileen) Ries of Hopkinton, Janet Thomas of Cascade, Merle (Sue) Ries of Bernard, Marge (Larry) Gaul of Strawberry Point and; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Pat, parents-in-law: Alphonse and Gertrude Ries; in-laws Bill (Elsie) Ries, Wally and Rita (Larry) Ries-Hartung.

The family would like to thank all the special care givers of Helping Hands, Hospice staff of Regional Medical Center and Dr Nicole Salow for the compassionate care he received.

Memorials are preferred to SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church’s restoration fund.