Services for Raymond Kruse, 78 of Blair who died at Memorial Community Hospital in Blair Feb. 14, 1997 were Monday, Feb. 17 at First Lutheran Church. Burial was in the Fort Calhoun Cemetery.

Raymond J. Kruse was born Nov. 9, 1918 at his parents’ home in rural Blair. He was confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Millard.

In 1934, he graduated from Millard High School.

He married Ruberta Kruse at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Millard March 15, 1941.

He farmed on the home farm place until moving to Blair in October of 1977. Along with farming, he was a cattle buyer for many years, most recently for Cimple Meat Packing Plant.

He played baseball in his younger days with Bennington, Kennard and Fort Calhoun teams and in the Pioneer Night League at Millard. He was a first baseman and had a hitting average of .521 at one time when he was playing for Bennington.

He was a member of Wranch School Board for a number of years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Martha Neuhaus Kruse; a son, David Kruse and a brother, Herman Harlan Kruse.

He is survived by his wife, Ruberta; a daughter and son-in-law, Marti and Gerald Fegler, Stephanie Martin, Kim Verzani, Ross Kruse, and Brett Kruse; a brother, Marvin Kruse, Tecumseh, Nebr.; and a sister, Bonnie Martin of Arlington.

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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