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Carol Joan Kruse, 90, of Storm Lake died June 26, 2024, at Methodist Manor Retirement Community in Storm Lake.
Funeral services will take place Monday, July 1, at 10:30 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Storm Lake. Burial will be in Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery. Visitation will take place Sunday, June 30, from 3-5 p.m. at Fratzke & Jensen Funeral Home in Storm Lake.
Carol Joan Stern was born Sept. 17, 1933, to Emil and Rose Louise (Grieme) Stern in Storm Lake. On Jan. 24, 1954, Carol was united in marriage to Don Kruse at Zion Lutheran Church in Storm Lake. Don and Carol were blessed with seven children: Retha, Renee, Russell, Randy, Ramon, Rhonda and Rebecca.
Carol was always on the go and cleaned houses in Storm Lake for years. She sewed all her girls’ clothing and loved tending to her vegetable and flower garden. In her younger years, Carol enjoyed playing in golf league. She looked forward to game nights, playing cards and Bingo. In her free time, Carol found joy in crafts and feeding the birds. More than anything, Carol treasured time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Left to cherish the memory of Carol include her children: Retha (Jerry) Wirth of Spencer; Renee (Tom) Phillips of Laurens; Russell (Sandy) Kruse of Alta; Randy (Julie) Kruse of Storm Lake; Ramon (Denise Bock) Kruse of Belmond; Rhonda (Richard) Archer of Bricelyn, Minn.; Rebecca (Jeff) Kindwall of Spirit Lake; brother Merlin (Bernice) Stern; grandchildren: Jayme (Mandie) Richter, Kari (Jeremy) Rausch, DeaDra (Mark) Jeter, Carl (Melissa) Brent, Vanessa (Henry) Harder, Amee Lundberg, Monica Munro, Katie (Brandon) Berkland, Robyn (Patrick) Diekman, Traci (Matt) Beerbower, Trista (Mark) Mikkelson, Tiffany (Tyler) Kruid, Mandi Kruse, Tiffanie (Jay Gray) Kruse, Trista (Brian) Burke, Ryan (Jessica) Kruse, Jessica Greene, Megan (Matt) Spreacker, Allison (Colby Stevens) Lundgren, Kyle Bock, Nash (Samantha) Bock, Shawn (Michelle) Archer, Shannon (Corrie) Archer, Shaina (Ty) Watson, Derek (Kelsey) Kindwall and Riley (Mara) Kindwall; great-grandchildren: Dakota (Manuel) Harms, Kailee, Aubree, Dylan (Alli), Peyton, Gavin, Austin, Evan, Collin, Owen, Evelyn, Caroline, Madison, Abbigal, Drew, Jake, Morgan, Kennady, Hayden, Mia, Braydon, Benson, Cooper, Cora, Austin, Matty, Eastyn, Collins, Jack, Xandra, Sydney (Brett Wells), Brennan, Landen, Hunter, Noah, Brody, Braxton, Brayden, Evan, Ellie, Lenix, Kadin, Adyson, Isabella, Braylen, Paige, Bowen, Avery, Parker, Devan, Carter, Hailey, Samantha, Ryder, Carson, Jackson, Nolan, Kezli, Maverick, Waylon and Watson; great-great grandchildren: Bentley, Mia, Kolsen, Alex and Alivia; siblings-in-law, Janice Kruse and Audrey Stern; many nieces and nephews, cousins and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Emil and Rose Stern; husband Donald Kruse; brothers, Verle Stern and Kenneth Stern; great-great-grandchildren: Hannah and Aiden Kruse; and Gage Burke; nephew David Stern; and great-nephew Justin Stoner.
