Richard (Rick) Charles Kruse

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Richard (Rick) Charles Kruse was born October 20, 1944, in Omaha, Nebraska, to Vern and Dorothy (Todd) Kruse. At just three years old, Rick lost his mother unexpectedly. His father later remarried, and Rick was lovingly raised by Mildred (Rosenbaum) Kruse. He attended Startown District 43 through eighth grade and graduated from Bennington High School in 1963.

Rick was baptized at Waterloo Presbyterian Church and confirmed at Kennard Methodist Church. His faith remained a steady part of his life through years of membership and service at Zion Lutheran Church.

In the fall of 1963, while cruising through Kennard, a couple of girls in a ’55 Dodge caught Rick’s attention. It didn’t take long for Rick to find the girl who would later become his lifelong partner. Rick took Barb Grefe on their first adventure together, hauling cattle to Omaha. With one kiss, Rick had captured her heart. On New Year’s Eve, Rick told Barb he loved her.

Rick and Barb married on February 27, 1965, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Arlington, Nebraska. Together they built a life filled with love, laughter, and countless adventures. Whether traveling to Cheyenne, exploring Hawaii, cruising Alaska, or driving to rodeos, sports events, and tractor pulls, Rick and Barb cherished every mile and memory side by side.

Rick dedicated his life to hard work and service. He farmed, drove trucks, and spent 28 years as a maintenance operator, keeping the roads of Washington County safe and smooth. Known for his humility, generosity and quiet strength, Rick never hesitated to lend a hand to a neighbor or share a cold beer with a friend.

Rick is survived by his wife of 60 years, Barb Kruse; his siblings, Mari (Bill) Japp and Ron (Barb) Kruse; his children, Denise (Bob) Rayman, Dana (Tim) Schmidt and Todd Kruse; grandchildren, Dani (Sam) Landholm, Brett (Erica) Rayman, Jared Schmidt, Claire Schmidt, Maggie Schmidt and Austin Kruse; and great-grandchildren, Barrett and Bristol Landholm, Quinn, Beau, Crew, and Ivy Rayman and Charles Kruse.

Rick’s life was defined by faith, family and friendship. Those who knew him will remember his presence, his laughter and the way he made everyone feel like family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church (14205 Ida Street, Omaha, NE). Burial will be at Prairie View Cemetery, Washington, NE.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Zion Lutheran Church, Omaha, NE, or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Arlington, NE.

Reichmuth Funeral Homes and Crematory, LLC, 21901 W. Maple Rd., Elkhorn, Nebraska 68022

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

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