Charlotte I. Kruse, 77, of Le Mars, Iowa passed away on Monday, March 31, 2014 at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars following complications of congestive heart failure. Funeral services will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 4, 2014 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars, Iowa. Rev. Peter Rosenkvist and Rev. Dr. Jean Ziettlow will officiate. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memory Gardens in Le Mars. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 3, 2014 at the Mauer – Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. The family will be present to greet friends from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service scheduled at 7:00 p.m. There will also be one hour of visitation at the church prior to the funeral on Friday.
Charlotte Idean Kruse was born on June 29, 1936 in Akron, Iowa, the daughter of Charles and Ida (Peters) Miller. She was baptized in the Lutheran faith and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars in 1950. Charlotte attended Le Mars High School and graduated in 1954. As a senior in high school, Charlotte began an apprenticeship with Iowa Public Service. She worked there as a secretary for the next seven years.
On April 27, 1957, Charlotte and Leonard Dick Kruse were united in marriage at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. After their first child Tim was born, Charlotte stayed home to raise her family. Throughout the years she did assist her parents at their restaurant, Miller’s Lunch in Le Mars.
Charlotte was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Le Mars. She enjoyed flower gardening and raising her numerous houseplants. She loved animals and cared for several cats and dogs throughout the years.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 56 years, Leonard of Le Mars; her son, Tim Kruse and his wife Sherry of Le Mars; a daughter Linda Oxley and her husband Mike of Des Moines, IA; a grandson, T.J. Kruse of Le Mars; sister-in-law, Lauretta Van Buskirk; a brother-in-law, Charles Kruse; and a niece, Beverly Van Buskirk all of Le Mars.
She was preceded in death by her parents; granddaughter, Lynnae Kruse in 1993; father and mother-in-law, Harm and Louise Kruse; and a brother-in-law, William Van Buskirk.
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