Cecilia Elizabeth Kruse, 100, of Donnellson, Iowa passed away on Saturday, September 16, 2023.
Ceil was born on October 29, 1922, to Anna and George Mehmert of West Point, Iowa. She was a lifelong member of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in West Point, IA and there married Herman Kruse on November 9, 1944. Ceil was preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Joe and Barney; sisters: Martha, Marietta, Ruth, and Gertie. She was preceded in death by her husband on September 7, 2006. Her sister Rosie Ping of West Point, IA survives. Ceil lived independently on the farm until June 2023.
Her family meant the world to Ceil and she is survived by son: Dan Kruse of Argyle, IA; Jeanne Foecke (Jim) of Pilot Grove, IA; Connie Kruse of Dayton, TN; Kitty Kruse-Winnike of Riverside, IA; Sue Kruse (Jeff Fullenkamp) of Johnston, IA; and Jan Foecke (Joe) of Kansas City, MO. Grandchildren: Jodi Burch (Craig) of Ft. Madison, IA; Tom Kruse (Sarah) of West Point, IA; Brian Foecke (Kathleen) of West Point IA; Jamie Foster of Washington, IA; Ben Foecke (Sue) of Des Moines, IA; April VanHamme (Justin) of West Point, IA; Kelsey Winnike (Gabe Starbeck-Miller) of San Diego, CA; Mason Kruse-Hoyer (Pooja Narayan) of Hanover, MD; Alison Cox (Aaron) of West Des Moines, IA; Bill Ayakatubby (Josh) of Kansas City, MO; Beth Lukehart (Bryan) of St. Joseph, MO; Dave Foecke of Gower, MO; and Dan Foecke of Adamsville, AL. Great Grandchildren include: Brock and Taylor Barnes of Ft. Madison, IA; Tyler, Payton, and Asher Burch of Ft. Madison, IA; Albert, Luke, and Joseph Kruse of West Point, IA; Mikaela Richter (Isaac) of West Point, IA; Mallory Foster of Iowa City, IA; Alayna Foster of Washington, IA; Lauren and Max Foecke of Des Moines, IA; Jackson VanHamme of Ames, IA; Toby and Fletcher VanHamme of West Point, IA; West Winnike of San Diego, CA; Zuri Narayan-Hoyer of Hanover, MD; Landry, Eli, and Finn Cox of West Des Moines, IA; Austin, Tucker, and Kaybree Lukehart of St. Joseph, MO. One Great Great Grandchild includes Adalyn Richter of West Point, IA. Ceil will be greatly missed by her family.
Ceil cultivated many friendships throughout her lifetime in the West Point, Houghton, and St. Paul communities; workplaces such as Schaeffer Pen Company, J.J. Nichting’s, Metromail, West Point Care Center, Donnellson Care Center, Motorola; and card clubs. Ceil enjoyed baking, painting by numbers, word puzzles, reading, listening to music, watching movies, and visiting with others in person and by phone.
Family will receive visitors from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, IA.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 23, 2023, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in West Point, with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, West Point, IA.
Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Catholic Schools or St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church.