Funeral Services Held Saturday For William F. Kruse

Funeral services were held Saturday for Willliam F. Kruse, 76 years of age, 902 North 28th Avenue, who died Wednesday at Memorial Community Hospital.

The services were held at the Fort Calhoun Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Keith Sackett officiating with interment in Fort Calhoun Cemetery.

William F. Kruse was born on August 12, 1890, at the pioneer homestead southwest of Fort Calhoun to William F. and Minnie Kruse, and he passed into Eternity on March 29th at Blair Memorial Hospital after a lingering illness.

He spent most of his active life in the Fort Calhoun area as a farmer and cattle feeder and was active in local and civic affairs. On December 22, 1915 he was united in marriage to Margaret Suverkrubbe who died February 24, 1939. Three daughters and one son were born to this union.

As a member of the Nebraska Crop Growers’ Association, William Kruse’s corn displays won him wide recognition in the form of awards numbering 35 ribbons including grand champion-ships and some sweepstakes. He also captured five international ribbons at Chicago from 1915 to 1932. The World Herald called him “Nebraska’s Corn King.”

On August 30, 1943, he was united in marriage to Miss Gladys Neve of Omaha. He was a member and former ruling elder of the Fort Calhoun Presbyterian Church. Surviving him is his wife Gladys of Blair; his three daughters: Mrs. Walter Pearson of Danville, Illinois; Mrs. Norman Slader and Mrs. Ruth Gels of Omaha, and his son William, also of Omaha. Also four brothers: Henry, Ernest, Hugo and Waldo; and a sister Mrs. George Neale, all of Fort Calhoun, and twelve grandchildren.

The Bendorf Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Pallbearers were Chris Frahm, George Hindley, Paul Kruse, Paul Melotz, Rudy Moeller and Arthur L, Peterson.

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