DR ED KRUSE

Dr. Ed Kruse Ed Kruse, 88, of La Crescent, MN, passed away peacefully after living with dementia for years. He went to meet his Savior on April 13, 2026. He was born to missionary parents Edgar and Louise (Oschwald) Kruse in Brazil in 1938. Ed spent his first 9 years in the interior of Brazil, then lived in Hampshire, IL, Sterling, CO, Brainard, MN, Springfield, IL, Fort Wayne, IN, South Charleston, WV, Jesup, IA, Waterloo, IA, Des Moines, IA, Independence, MO, Chicago, IL, and La Crescent, MN. Ed studied at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO, Upper Iowa University in Fayette, IA, Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield, IL, Marshall University in Huntington, WV, and Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, IL where he received his doctorate in Conflict Management in 2001. His work was as enjoyable to him as his leisure time. He was a Missouri Synod pastor in South Charleston, WV, Jesup, IA, and Waterloo, IA. For 20 years he owned and operated a Miracle-Ear franchise in Kansas City, MO. He was a licensed hearing aid specialist in Missouri, Kansas and Iowa and a National Board Certified Hearing Aid Specialist. He returned to church work as a deacon with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and worked as the Stewardship Director in Kansas City, MO and then as the National Stewardship Director at the ELCA headquarters in Chicago, IL. After he retired, he started his own consulting business, HealthierChurch.org. Teaching was one of his first loves and he taught at Concordia Senior College in Fort Wayne, IN, and Park College in Parkville, MO. Ed also taught Stewardship classes at each of the seven ELCA seminaries. Community and national service was important to Ed. He served in the National Guard of Colorado and he belonged to Rotary Clubs in Waterloo, IA, Independence, MO, La Crescent, MN, and various Chambers of Commerce. During his years in business, he also served on the Missouri Council for Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters, and the National Franchise Advisory Council for Miracle-Ear. Ed enjoyed reading, writing, walking, theater, playing cards, travel, gardening and entertaining friends and family. He especially enjoyed those times when grandkids stayed overnight. Ed has written several books, the latest is Baptism Is Making a Difference. Ed is survived by his wife of 40 years, Barbara (Von Arx) Kruse, three children, Sherry (Dave) Reimnitz of Belton, MO, Paul (Ruth) Kruse of Roscommon, MI, and Bobbi Kruse of Chino Hills, CA; three step-sons, Jeph (Cherie) BurroughsScanlon of Kansas City, MO, Dan (Debbie) Scanlon of Buckner, MO, and Skeeter(Stacy) Scanlon of Saint Paul Park, MN; twenty one grandchildren, Luke (Cortney) Reimnitz of Raymore, MO, Leah Reimnitz (Adam Merzel) of South Jordan, UT, Paul (Megan) Reimnitz of Parker, CO, Ted (Danielle) Kruse of Prudenville, MI, Ben Kruse of Jackson, MI, Amanda (Tyler) Parmer of Lexington, KY, Ashton (Lexi) Kruse of Farmington, MN, Lily Scanlon, Charlotte Scanlon, Liam Scanlon of Kansas City, MO, Lucy Scanlon of Queens, NY, Olga Cherniavska of Kansas City, MO, Callie (Codey) Null of Oak Grove, MO, Cailtin (Juan) Saucedo of Blue Springs, MO, Dominic Holmen of Rochester, MN, Kayla Stacy of Hovland, MN, Serena Scanlon (Alex Johnson) of Fargo, ND, Marcus Narusiewicz of North Saint Paul, MN, Chris Carlson (Holly McGlothlin) of Dayton, OH, Josh (Tami) Carlson of La Porte City, IA, Darrin (Holly) Carlson, Lisbon, IA, thirty three great grandchildren, one great, great grandchild, brother John Kruse of Corrales, NM, sister Dorothy Gocken of Buckley, WA sister-in-law Phyllis Adair of Brighton, CO, four nephews and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, his adopted daughter, Carol, his brother, Ron, his sister Leah, his brothers-in-law, Rich Prybylski and Ron Gocken, his sister-in-law Dottie Kruse and his nephew William Kruse. Many people remember Ed by the way he signed his emails (I’ll see you in my prayers) or by the way he responded when people asked him how he was (I’m grateful). Visitation will be April 24 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent, MN from 4:00 to 7:00PM and April 25 from 10:00 to 11:00AM, followed by the funeral at 11:00 AM. A service of Committal will be held on Saturday, May 2, at 1:00 PM at the Memorial Garden at Edison Park Lutheran Church at 6626 Oliphant Ave., Chicago, IL Memorials may be made to ELCA Global Missions or Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in La Crescent, MN. If you prefer, plant a tree in Ed’s memory.

DR ED KRUSE

February 27, 1938 - April 13, 2026