Sylvester A. Kruse, 95, of Hillsboro, Iowa, passed away at 7:31 p.m. Sunday, June 28, 2026 at Savannah Heights in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
He was born on March 23, 1931 in St. Paul, Iowa, the son of Edward and Ida (Holtkamp) Kruse. On October 2, 1954 he married Thelma Stukerjurgen at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton, Iowa, she preceded him in death on December 13, 2023.
Survivors include his four children: Edward (Patty) Kruse of Hillsboro, Iowa, LeAnn (Ben) Lund of Johnston, Iowa, LouAnn (Gary) Nichting of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, JoAnn (Joe) Adam of Fairfield, Iowa; eleven grandchildren: Jason (Tina) Nichting, Lisa (Jerad) Syfert, Christy (Russ) Schwartz, Cherie (Chris) Brown, Melissa (Jason) Herbaugh, Rebecca (Doug) Westercamp, Janette (Brian Callaway) Kruse, Amy (Jeremy) Mullenix, Andrew Kruse, Trevor (Emily) Lund, Stephanie (Austin) Wilkinson; thirty one great grandchildren; ten great-great grandchildren; and one sister Agnes Stukerjurgen. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Thelma; four brothers: Lawrence, Wilfred, Albert, Joe; and six sisters: Gertrude, Helen, Cecilia, Marcella, Clotilda, and Edna.
Sylvester was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton. He served in the United States Army for two years, was a lifelong farmer, was a member of the Circle Eight Square Dance Club, a euchre card club, and the West Point American Legion Holtz-Geers post #668. He enjoyed square dancing, and playing Euchre.
A visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton with a Parish Rosary at 4:30 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 2, 2026 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton, Iowa, with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Houghton, with Full Military Rites by the West Point American Legion Holtz-Geers Post #668
A memorial has been established in his memory for St. John’s Catholic Church or St. John’s Cemetery.
Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com.
