Shirley A. Kruse

George, IA Shirley A. Kruse, age 80 of George, IA died Thursday, February 12, 2015 at the Rock Rapids Health Centre in Rock Rapids, IA. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 16th at Immanuel Lutheran Church in George, IA, with Reverend Chad Duffy officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in George, IA. Visitation will be Sunday, February 15th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Jurrens Funeral Home in George. Shirley A. Krahling was born July 19, 1934, on a farm near Ashton, IA to Carl and Helen Krahling. She graduated from the George High School. She attended further education in Le Mars, IA. Shirley worked as a bank teller and teacher until she devoted her life to raising her children and being a farm wife. Shirley married Merrill W. Kruse of George, IA, on April 25, 1957 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon, IA. After their marriage, they farmed in the George area, southwest of town. In 1964, they moved to the present century farm that was homesteaded in 1872. In 1993, they built a house north of the home place. Shirley was a lifelong active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in George, serving on the church council, ladies circle, couples club, sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She was also active in the community, serving on the Auxiliary Board, Museum Board, Election Board and Facts-N-Fun. Shirley loved bowling, golfing, gardening, canning, scrapbooking, traveling and taking pictures of family. She loved watching basketball, especially the Hawkeyes and the school teams. Shirley loved to cross-stitch. She cross-stitched a picture for every grandchild when they were born. She enjoyed being with her children and grandchildren. Shirley died Thursday, February 12, 2015, at the Rock Rapids Health Centre from complications of Alzheimer's, at the age of 80. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2005. Shirley leaves to cherish her memory her six children: Sharon (Rod) Harms of Sioux Falls, SD, Steven Wm. (Darla) Kruse of George, IA, Marcia (Jon) Tunheim of Olympia, WA, Marylou (Glenn) Hofer of Lakeville, MN, Rod (Mary) Kruse of Savage, MN and Renae Kruse Thornton (Omar Thornton) of Sioux Falls, SD; eighteen grandchildren: Matt and McKenzie Harms; Sarah (fiancé, Matt Welsh), Melissa, Will (special friend Kelsey Proehl), and Carl Kruse; Ryan, Nathan, Jonathan and Justin Tunheim; Andrew, Jacob and Julianna Hofer; Kaity (special friend Cameron Thornton), Riley and Ally Kruse; and Keisean and Oliviyah Thornton; five sisters-in-law: Luetta Eberline, Mickey Kruse, Jan Starr, Nadine Wickersham Krull and Donna Schaeffer; and many nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Merrill; parents; brother, Wayne Krahling; parents-in-law, William and Louise Kruse; five brothers-in-law: Clinton Eberline, Roger Kruse, Jim Starr, Bill Wickersham and Bill Krull; two nieces, Linda Eberline and Ann Phillips; and two nephews, Doug Eberline and Paul Sartorius.