Martin "George" Kruse

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Martin “George” Kruse, 85, Fargo, ND, died Monday, March 18, in SMP Health – St. Catherine South.

George was born on a dairy farm near Kindred, ND, on August 24, 1938 to Martin G. Kruse Sr. and Dorothy (Strehlow) Kruse. He attended country school in Normanna Township and graduated from Kindred High School (KHS) in 1956. There, he played his baritone in the band and participated in sports. George was an active member of the Work and Win 4-H Club. He was proud of owning the purebred Holstein Friesian dairy cow, Veda, that was the top milk and butterfat producer in Cass County for several months.

George continued his education at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN, where he played in the band and was a member of the Alpha Sigma Chi and Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternities. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics in 1961.

Because his name was high on the army draft list at that time, he decided to enlist in the regular army. He was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO, for basic training. From there he was assigned to the Adjutant General’s School at Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN, for a Personnel Administration course. George also attended classes at Fort Devens, MA, at the USASA Training Center for Defense. He was assigned to the Army Security Agency, Camp Zama, Japan, at the Pacific Headquarters. While on duty, he was awarded the distinction “Soldier of the Month” twice. After 27 months of duty, he arrived home to farm. To further enhance his farming skills, he took classes at the Hanson Mechanical Trade School in Fargo and the University of Minnesota Farm School Campus.

In 1964 he met Karen Lynnes, a teacher at Wahpeton High School. They were married July 10, 1965, at Kindred Lutheran Church and enjoyed 58 happy years together.

George continued to farm and be active despite a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 1977. He held offices on the Kindred Farmers Elevator Board and at Kindred Lutheran Church, serving on the Council and the Constitution Committees. He was on the Kindred Cemetery Board as secretary/treasurer and was on the Board of Directors at Kindred State Bank, serving as Vice President. Over the years George was active on the KHS Reunion Committee.

In his younger years, George enjoyed hunting ducks with his dad. In later years he was an accomplished crossword puzzle enthusiast who was building his own crossword puzzle dictionary. He enjoyed spending weekends with his family at their Prairie Lake cottage at Pelican Rapids, MN. George loved visiting one-on-one with people and mentoring his grandsons. He also enjoyed driving his John Deere Gator around the farm. George’s favorite foods were sweet corn, potatoes of all kinds, spareribs and honey.

In 2011, George and Karen moved to One Oak Place in Fargo. Despite George’s disability, they spent many comfortable and enjoyable years together at this location.

George is survived by his wife, Karen, son Brian (Bonnie) Kruse of Marshall, Minnesota, grandsons Kyle Kruse of Minneapolis and Blake Kruse of Mankato, daughter Nancy (Curt) Hoff, and grandsons Cade and Luke Hoff of Fargo. He is also survived by his older sisters Holly Hambley,Fairfax, VA, Marjorie Corner, Madison, WI, Maxine (John) Otis, Mankato, MN, his twin sister Joan Schulz, Edina, MN, brother-in-law Carman Lynnes, Detroit Lakes, MN, and many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death were his parents and his maternal grandparents Max and Dora Strehlow and his paternal grandparents John and Harriet Kruse.

The Kruse family extends their thank you to  everyone who gave help and comfort to us at this trying time. Especially the providers at Essentia Health, Elim Care Center, St Catherine South and Ethos Hospice.   

Visitation will be from 5-6 p.m. on Friday, April 5 with a prayer service at 6 p.m. at Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center in Fargo. Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m. followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, at Kindred (ND) Lutheran Church. Burial will follow at the Kindred Cemetery, followed by lunch at the church.

In lieu of flowers, suggestions for memorials are Kindred Area Dollars for Scholars, Kindred Lutheran Church, or charity of choice.