Services for Herman Jacob Kruse, 91 who died May 12, 1993 at his home in Bennington were Friday, May 14 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bennington. Rev. John Pierson officiated. Burial was in Kennard Cemetery at Kennard.

Herman Jacob Kruse was born August 2, 1901 on a farm west of Bennington to Wilhelm and Abel Stuart Kruse. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John’s Lutheran church and was a member of the church all his life.

He built the first local filling station in the mid – 1920s in Bennington. He owned and operated a gas truck for three years and then sold out to go into farming for 17 years. He later ran a local gas station and was a carpenter until his retirement in 1969. He also worked for the village of Bennington until retiring from that position in 1990.

He was a volunteer fireman and served on the town board.

He married Frieda Rosenbaum February 4, 1931 at Kountze Memorial Church in Omaha.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Frieda; one daughter, Myra; five brothers and three sisters.

He is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Ila and Dale Mohr and Myrna and Mick Nelson and a son-in-law, Don Bergman, all of Bennington; ten grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and a host of friends.

Casket bearers were Brian Bergman, Van Mohr, Marty Nelson, Merle Nelson, Mike Nelson and Monte Nelson.

Rev. John Pierson was vocalist. Claire Cowing was organist.

Hadan-Golden Mortuary was in charge of arrangements.

Note: Buried in Plot: Bk 3 Lt 42 Sp 2 in the Kennard Cemetery. Find A Grave Memorial # 20876712

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~