Marie Kruse

Thelma Marie Kruse, 83, Olathe, KS, passed away Saturday, October 9, 2010, at her home, following a year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Marie was born in Oklahoma City, March 12, 1927, the only child of Novey and Nola (Yates) Halford. She grew up in eastern Oklahoma, graduating from Ada High School in 1944. She attended Southern Nazarene University (then Bethany-Peniel Nazarene College) where she met Carl William Kruse. Marie and Carl were married in Ada, OK, September 1, 1949. They reared four children, primarily in Bartlesville, OK, and Olathe, KS. As the children grew older, Marie worked in a physician's office and as a real estate agent. She also was active in the American Business Women's Association. Marie and Carl moved to Champaign, IL, in 1977, where she briefly operated a used bookstore. They retired to Olathe in 1995 to be near family. Marie was an active member of every church she joined. For the last fifteen years she was a member of Christ Community Church of the Nazarene in Olathe where she was a small group leader. All through her life Marie enjoyed reading, and working in her flower gardens. Her proudest achievement was the four children she raised. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Marie is survived by her husband of 61 years, Carl William Kruse; daughter Sandra Kruse-Smith and her husband Ron Smith of Leawood, KS; daughter Kathy Kruse of Olathe, KS; son Jim Kruse and his wife Rosa of Houston, TX; Michael Kruse and his wife Melissa of Kansas City, MO; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to OMC Hospice House (Olathe, KS), My Father's House (Paola, KS) or Gideons International.