Charles Kruse, 86, of Le Mars, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at Accura Healthcare of Le Mars.

Funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 22, 2025, at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church – Preston Township, rural Akron, Iowa.  Reverend Paige McGrath will officiate.  Burial with military honors provided by the Heeren-McHale-Wilkens American Legion Post 724 of Brunsville will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation with the family present will be from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 21, 2025, at Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. There will be a Prayer Service at 4:00 p.m.  Visitation will resume from 9:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. on Monday at the church.  Arrangements are with the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home in Le Mars. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.mauerjohnsonfh.com.

Charles Harm Kruse, the son of Harm and Louise (Ahrendt) Kruse, was born on February 1, 1939, in Le Mars, Iowa.  He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church – Preston Township, rural Akron.  He attended Washington #3 country school in Plymouth County, Iowa.  He went to high school in Le Mars and graduated from Le Mars Central High School in 1957. Following his graduation, he farmed with his father.

He enlisted in the United States Air National Guard in 1960 with the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron. It changed to the 185th Tactical Fighter Group in 1962. He was honorably discharged in 1966.

Charles farmed his entire career in Plymouth County, Iowa, raising hogs and growing crops.  Following his retirement, he remained on the farm until 2012, when he moved to Le Mars.  In 2022, he became a resident of Accura Healthcare of Le Mars.

Charles was a lifelong member of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, rural Akron, where he served on the church council, cemetery board, sang in the church choir, and ushered.  He was also a member of the Heeren-McHale-Wilkens American Legion Post 724 of Brunsville, IA, and the Pioneer Machinery Club and enjoyed going on tractor rides.  While in high school, he was active in F.F.A.  and exhibited hogs at the Plymouth County Fair. He was a member of Farm Bureau.  Charles enjoyed going to high school basketball games, bowling in league, and taking Sunday drives.

Survivors include his nieces and nephew: Beverly Van Buskirk of Le Mars, IA, Tim (Sherry) Kruse of Le Mars, IA, and Linda (Mike) Oxley of Des Moines, IA; a great nephew, T.J. Kruse of Le Mars; and several cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harm and Louise Kruse; his siblings: Lauretta (William) Van Buskirk and Leonard (Charlotte) Kruse; a great niece, Lynnae Kruse; and a special friend, Wanda Mammen.