Betty Kruse

Betty Kruse, of Milan, died Friday, April 23, 2021 at Luther Haven Nursing Home in Montevideo at the age of 92.

Memorial services will be held Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Kviteseid Lutheran Church in Milan.  Pastor Kristine Isder will officiate, and burial will be in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday.  Masks and social distancing are required.

Arrangements are with Anderson-TeBeest Funeral Home in Montevideo.

Betty Lorraine Thompson was born April 18, 1929 in Hayward, WI to Harry and Bertha (Schmidt) Thompson.  This family later moved to Mankato, MN.  Betty graduated from Mankato High School, and after high school she worked many jobs eventually taking a position at a bank.  Betty married Virgil Kruse on August 27, 1950.  Virgil was in the Air Force which caused them to move around the country for a few years, until settling down in Milan, MN. Mr. Kruse taught for 25 years in the Milan schools where Betty was the school secretary.

Betty was very active in church affairs, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years.  Betty enjoyed golfing, playing bridge and other games.  She was also an excellent cook and baker. 

Betty suffered a severe stroke 20 years ago affecting her left side and was able to overcome this handicap in many ways. 

She is survived by her husband, Virgil Kruse; four children: Cynthia (John) Olachnovitch of Cedar Rapids, IA, Gloria Kruse of Ottawa KS, Gary Kruse a local beekeeper, and Donald (Patty) Kruse a Village Missionary of Idaho; four grandchildren: Vonya (Kyle) Witherspoon, JR (Bertha) Olachnovitch, Hannah Kruse, and Adam (Allison) Kruse; and three great-grandchildren: Marco, Graham, and Elia.

Despite the challenges of this past year, Betty and the Kruse family were fortunate enough to once again enjoy in-person visits the past few weeks.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Helen; and nieces and nephews.