Cletus Kruse, age 84 of rural Marietta, MN passed away on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at the Madison Health Care in Madison, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 29th at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gary, SD. Visitation will be held from 5 to 7pm on Thursday at the St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gary with a 7pm prayer service. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Gary, SD.
Cletus Lee Kruse was born on June 24, 1937, to Martin & Ella (Sievers) Kruse at home in Freeland Township, near Canby, MN. He was raised on the family farm south of Marietta, MN and attended country school until the 8th grade. He attended high school through 10th grade. At the age of 19, Cletus joined the Madison National Guard Unit and rose to the rank of Staff Sargent. He served in the unit for 7 years. Cletus drove truck for his relatives; the Clarks, then returned home after that job to work with his dad on the farm. Cletus and Sharon Marie Zanke were united in Holy Matrimony on September 19, 1964 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gary SD. To this union they welcomed a son and two daughters. After the wedding, Cletus purchased a farm north of Canby. Sharon continued to teach at the new elementary school and Cletus spent his days farming, which he loved. His hard work ethic along with his quick wit and sense of humor was a given. In his earlier years, Cletus enjoyed fishing & hunting. His favorite was deer hunting with his son, brothers & nephews. He was also an avid card player. Cletus was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, and a longtime member of the Marietta American Legion.
Cletus is lovingly remembered by his wife Sharon of 57 years, three children: Lyle (JoAnn) Kruse Canby, MN, Cheryl (Steve) Grengs, St. Leo, MN and Lanelle (fiancé Josh) Kruse, Big Lake, MN: six grandchildren: Kaylyn (Matt) Dwyer, Jessica, Jordan and Danielle Kruse and Brandon and Ashley Grengs three great-grandsons and one great granddaughter: Caleb, James, Mason and Riley; his siblings: Ted Kruse, Hopkins, MN, Gordon (Susan) Kruse, Canby MN; sisters-in-law: Wanda Orne, Avon, MN and Charlene (Tom) Salonen, Venice, FL and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin and Ella Kruse, father and mother-in-law, Calvin and Margaret Zanke; brothers: Roy and Leonard Kruse; sisters-in-law: Helen Kruse (Ted) and Birdie Kruse (Roy) and nephew, Joel Orne.
