Merlyn 'Bud' F. Kruse

IN MEMORY OF
MERLYN “BUD” F. KRUSE

BORN
May 22, 1931
Sheldon, Iowa

PASSED AWAY
February 13, 2011
Sanborn, Iowa

FUNERAL SERVICE
10:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 16, 2011
St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sheldon, Iowa
Rev. Ronald Nelson ~ Officiating

Visitation will be Tuesday, February 15th after 2:00pm at the Vander Ploeg Funeral Home in Sheldon with the family present from 5:00 – 7:00pm.

MUSIC
“The Lord’s Prayer”
“Unforgettable”
Soloist: Elizabeth Johnson
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS
“Blest Be The Tie That Binds”
“Softly and Tenderly”
No. 448 Green “Amazing Grace”
Organist: Susan Johnson and Virginia DeBerry

HONORARY CASKET BEARERS
Granddaughters
Virginia DeBerry Elizabeth Johnson
Stephanie Madsen
CASKET BEARERS
Grandsons
Nathan Johnson Timothy Johnson
Mark Woelber Ben Woelber
Andrew Lundgren Paul Lundgren

FINAL RESTING PLACE
St. Paul Lutheran Cemetery ~ Sheldon, Iowa

Arrangements under the care of the
Vander Ploeg Funeral Home of Sheldon, Iowa

After the graveside service relatives and friends are invited to join
the family in the fellowship hall of the church.

Memorial will be directed to:
O’Brien County Fair, St. Paul Lutheran Church and Fieldcrest
MERLYN “BUD” F. KRUSE

Merlyn “Bud” Kruse, the son of Walter and Luella (Hensch) Kruse, was born May 22, 1931 in Sheldon, Iowa. He received his education in Country School near Sheldon and graduated from Sheldon High School in 1949; he also attended 1 year of Junior College in Sheldon. Bud was united in marriage to Donna Ann Noack on August 22, 1950 in Titonka, Iowa. After their marriage the couple made their home on the Floyd Crest Farms north of Sheldon where they lived and farmed until moving into Sheldon in 2004. Bud also worked for Hy-Vee in Sheldon for 12 years. In April of 2010, they moved to Fieldcrest Assisted Living in Sheldon. Bud became a resident of the Prairie View Nursing Home in Sanborn 2010. Donna preceded him in death on November 12, 2010. Bud passed away at Prairie View on Sunday, February 13, 2011, reaching the age of 79 years, 8 months and 22 days.
He was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Sheldon, where he was baptized and confirmed. Bud enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and all that they did, fishing, going to grandkids sporting events, and taking care of Donna. Bud had many roles in leadership and service which includes; O’Brien County Fair Board from 1952-2006, O’Brien County Pork Producers Board, O’Brien County Extension Council, President of Association of Iowa Fairs in 2000, District Director of Association of Iowa fairs for 13 years, President of O’Brien County D.H.I.A., Director and Treasurer of Iowa D.H.I.A., Delegate to U.S. D.H.I.A. meeting in Seattle, WA, Delegate to Midwest Breeders Association in Shawno, WI, Past-President of Iowa Milking Shorthorn Association, Show Chairman of Iowa District 4 of the Holstein Association, Secretary of Sheldon Bowling Association for 27 years, and was a volunteer for the Sheldon “Avenue of Flags.” Bud was a recipient of many awards which included; FFA American Famer Award in 1952, Sheldon Chamber of Commerce “Corn Yield” Contest winner in 1960, he showed livestock at five State and National Fair shows, Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn Cow: Iowa State Fair in 1970, Minnesota State Fair in 1971, and South Dakota State Fair in 1982, Grand Champion Milking Shorthorn “Moola Cow” award at Iowa State Fair in 9 of 11 years from 1972-1983 and was Reserve Champion the other 2 years, Exhibitor of Milking Shorthorn breed at the Clay County Fair for 40 years, Pioneer Breeder of the Year Award, Iowa Milking Shorthorn Association in 1990, and was a Hall of Fame Member of the Association of Iowa Fairs in 2000.
Bud is survived by his four daughters, Susan Johnson of St. Cloud, Minnesota; Nancy and her husband, Wayne Woelber of Sheldon, Iowa; Mary and her husband, Lyle Lundgren of Orange City, Iowa and Lora Kruse of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, a sister, Lorna and her husband Bill Saupe of Madison, Wisconsin; a step-sister Peggy and her husband Vince Stagliano, and a step-brother John and his wife Mary Gourley all of Texas; an Aunt Helen Hensch of Sibley, Iowa; nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his wife and his parents.