Alvin Kruse

Alvin Kruse was born at home in Selden, Kansas, on Saturday, February 27, 1932, the tenth of twelve children to John and Katherine (Zimmerman) Kruse. He passed from this life on Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at his home in Broken Arrow at the age of 88. Alvin grew up with his siblings on his parents’ farm near Leoville, Kansas and learned the value of hard work from his parents. He was an exceptional athlete as he grew up, playing both basketball and baseball for Leoville High School. He was honored to be the Most Valuable Player for their Kansas State Championship Basketball team in 1949. After high school he was drafted into the military but had a reaction from the immunizations they gave him which paralyzed Alvin for one year. He lived in his parents’ basement and they would often find him in the front yard of their home having crawled up the stairs and outside. He and his first wife, Eileen, attended high school together but she was two years younger. They dated for two years but then her family relocated to Washington state. The two stayed in touch for seven years writing letters until they were able to get back together and were married in Broken Arrow on May 31, 1960. They were happily married 41 years until her passing in 2001. They had one son and four daughters they were immensely proud of. Alvin’s home has been here in Broken Arrow since 1960. He and Eileen owned a feed store by the name of Trackside Trading Post. After closing the feed store, they sold from their home, better known as Kruse’s Katy Korner. Once a year he would recruit a bunch of his buddies and would lead them on a cattle drive two miles down Lynn Lane to relocate his up to 300 head of cattle to another field. They sold milk and eggs from their driveway and Alvin was known to have butchered more than one cow in that same driveway. He loved looking for deals and would purchase older farm equipment, repair, and repaint them and then resale them. He led his family to become active members of St. Anne Catholic Church, where he has been a member since 1960. He played on the men’s fast pitch softball team for St. Anne’s, was a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1974, was honored as “Knight of the Year” and served as Grand Knight in 1982-83. He and Eileen were members of the “Prime Timers” group who were instrumental in constructing the Via Dolorosa Stations of the Cross behind the church which was dedicated May 23, 1998. After losing Eileen on December 23, 2001 he eventually met and married Ann (Weeks) on July 14, 2007. They were happily married for 12 years until her passing in 2019. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Ministry of Compassion via St. Anne Catholic Church, 301 South 9th Street, Broken Arrow, 74012. Alvin is survived by: Son: Tim Kruse and his wife, Rae Ann of Stillwater Daughter: Anita Mace and her husband Joe, of Broken Arrow Daughter: Kathy Krehbiel and her husband, Daryl of Stillwater Daughter: Angie Bruner and her husband Monty of Stillwater Daughter: Mary Anne Kruse of Oakland, California Brothers: Ervin Kruse, Paul Kruse and Larry Kruse Sister: Alfreda Stephens 9 Grandchildren: Luke Kruse and his wife, Ashley; Kelsey Grey and her husband, Chazz;Robert Mace; Jacob Mace; Ken Krehbiel and his wife, Anna; Matt Krehbiel and his wife, Nicole; Vinny Sitterly; Flint Bruner and Jasper Bruner And 3 Great Grandchildren: Lexi Kruse, Silas Kruse and Autumn Grey He was preceded in death by his parents: John and Katherine (Zimmerman) Kruse His first wife: Eileen (Thummel) Kruse His second wife: Ann (Weeks) Kruse 5 brothers: Monsignor Clement Kruse; Marlin Kruse; Leander Kruse; Wilbur Kruse and Bud Kruse 2 sisters: Mildred Robben and Eleanor Meitl

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Alvin Kruse

February 27, 1932 - July 14, 2020