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Jean Kruse, 96, of Creston, formerly of Afton, died Dec. 23, 2023, at Creston Specialty Care in Creston. A Celebration of Eternal Life will be 11 a.m., Friday, Dec. 29 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Creston. Pastor John Rutz will officiate. The service will be livestreamed, found at a link under events at powersfh.com. Burial will be at a later date in Greenlawn Cemetery east of Afton. Open visitation will be 2-7 p.m., with family to recieve friends from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 28, at Powers Funeral Home in Creston.
Memorials can be directed to the family to be determined. Online condolences can be given at www.powersfh.com.
Luetta Jean Kruse, was born Nov. 15, 1927, the daughter of Andrew Janssen and Mary Etta (Finley) Janssen in Carroll County. Jean grew up in Calhoun County and often helped on the farm. Jean graduated from Lake City High School. Later, Jean decided to further her education and took licensed practical nurse training at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Carroll.
On Dec. 31, 1945, Jean was united in marriage to Warren Charles Kruse in Lake City. They lived in the Lake City area, where Jean worked at the Lake City Hospital, for two years. In 1971, they settled in Union County near Afton. Jean was employed at the Mount Ayr Health Care Center for 18 years before retiring in 1990.
Jean was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Creston and was active with their quilting group. In her earlier years, she led a 4-H group for 15 years. Jean was a member of the Union County Republican Committee for several years and held a chairman position for some time.
Jean is survived by her sons, Kevin (Joyce) Kruse of Creston and Lynn (Judy) Kruse of Afton; one brother, Duane (Elaine) Janssen of South English; five grandchildren: Jason (Sadie) Kruse and children, Lillie and Lane, Jennifer (Brad) Coffman and children, Brenna and Braden, Jeffrey (Heather) Kruse and children, Tobias and Micah, Mollie (Greg) Ernst and children, Adalynn and Henry, and Mariah (Tyler) Mason and children, Ellie and Gabby and 10 great-grandchildren.
Jean was preceded in death by her husband, Warren Kruse; her parents; her sister, Darlene (Bud) Owens; two brothers, Donald (Lorraine) and Dale (Irene) Janssen; nephews, Rickie and Steve Janssen and a niece, Staci Stone.