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Bethene “Beth” P. Kruse, age 81 of Blair passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska, surrounded by her family.

Memorial services will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Blair. A luncheon will follow services at the church. Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Woodbine Cemetery in Woodbine, Iowa. Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 15, 2025, at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair, with family receiving friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Bethene was born on April 2, 1944, on the family farm in rural Woodbine, Iowa, the daughter of Fay and Pearle Hutcheson. She attended country school and later graduated from Woodbine High School in 1961.

After high school she worked at First National Bank of Woodbine and later for Nebraska Iowa Supply where she met the love of her life, Gary Kruse.

On Dec. 21, 1968, she was united in marriage to Gary. The couple made their home in Blair. After raising their children she began working for Blair Community Schools as a teacher's aide for over 20 years. Following her time with the schools she worked at Blair West Pharmacy before retiring.

In their retirement, she and Gary enjoyed attending southern gospel concerts, numerous bus trips, flea markets, auctions and garage sales. Bethene was an avid plant enthusiast, having rescued and nurtured hundreds of plants over the years. She and Gary spent many hours enjoying and maintaining the family farm in Woodbine. Bethene deeply loved her family and was proud of them all.

She is survived by Gary, her husband of 56 years; children: Karen (Kevin) Johnson, Lisa (John) Bowen and Trisha (Ron) Clark; grandchildren: Tyler, Nicholas and MacKenzie Johnson, and Jackson and Davis Clark. She is also survived by her brothers: Norman (Joan) Hutcheson and Eldon (Ann) Hutcheson; sister-in-law Diana Hutcheson, along with nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; son Tim Kruse and brother Bill Hutcheson.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church in Blair or the Jeannette Hunt Blair Animal Shelter.

Services by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE

Campbell Aman Funeral Home 444 S 17th Street, Blair, NE 68008 402-426-2191

#2 Funeral leaflet

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In Loving Memory of Bethene Pearle Kruse

Born April 2, 1944 Woodbine, Iowa ~ Entered Into Rest July 10, 2025 Omaha, Nebraska

Memorial Service 10:30am Wednesday, July 16, 2025 First United Methodist Church, Blair, Nebraska. Officiating: Reverend Dr. Doug Griger. Pianist: Allison Matson. Vocalist: Jeremy Pope. Musical Selections: "In The Garden", "Heaven Just Got Sweeter", "The Lord's Prayer"

Honorary Pallbearers: Tyler Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, MacKenzie Johnson, Jackson Clark, Davis Clark

Graveside Services 2:30pm Woodbine Cemetery, Woodbine, Iowa

Campbell-Aman Funeral Home

~~~obituary and funeral leaflet courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Public Library, Blair, Nebraska ~~~

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