Walter W. Kruse

Walter W. Kruse, better known as "Walt" to his family and friends, was born April 19, 1911, at Mitchell, South Dakota, to William and Lena (Schluter) Kruse.

When he was seven years old, he moved with his parents, brothers and sisters to a ranch seven miles north of Conata, South Dakota.  He grew up and received his education in the Conata area.  When he was 15 years old his father died and he, his mother, his brothers and sisters continued to operate the ranch.

During the drought in the 1930s, Walt moved to Chicago, Illinois where he worked in a defense plant.

He was united in marriage to Lily P. Hanson on April 11, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois.

They made their home in Chicago until December of 1942 when he entered the U.S. Air Force.  After his discharge in Deccmber of 1945, they made their home on a ranch west of Interior.  They ranched and farmed in that area until retiring in 1986.  They continued to make their home on the ranch.

Walt attended the Presbyterian Church of Interior.  He was a member of the South Dakota Stockgrowers; a former member of the Interior Volunteer Fire Department; a member of the Carroll McDonald American Legion Post #246 of Wall.  He was former chairman of the Castle Butte Township and the Cane Creek Grazing Association, both of that community.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Lily P. Kruse of Interior; one son, Richard D. Kruse and his wife, Ramona, of Albuquerque, New Mexico; two daughters, Faye A. (Mrs. Gerard) Knorr of Rochester Hills, Michigan, and Cindy M. Kruse of Las Vegas, Nevada; four grandchildren, Jessica and Walter A. Kruse, G. Michael and Clayton Walter Knorr; two brothers, Lawrence Kruse of Interior, and Forrest Kruse of San Benito, Texas; four sisters, Anne Goard of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, Minnie Geller of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Alice Kruse of Long Beach, California, and LaVonne Green of Interior; many nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Bernard, William, and Clifford; and three sisters, Edith, Hannah, and Evelyn.

Services
Wednesday, July 28, 1993
10:00 a.m.
Interior School Gym
Interior, South Dakota

Officiating
Reverend Donald Lagge

Music
Provided by Nieces and Nephews
"Amazing Grace"
"Daddy's Hands"

Ushers
Charles Kruse - Philip Kruse

Active Pallbearers
Michael Knorr - Clayton Knorr
Kevin Kruse - Daniel Kruse
Bert Kruse - Roger Kruse

Honorary Pallbearers
All relatives and friends in attendance

Interment
Interior Cemetery
Interior, South Dakota

Service Details

Services
Wednesday, July 28, 1993
10:00 a.m.
Interior School Gym in Interior