Clarence W. Kruse

Clarence W. Kruse, 92, of Hampton, passed away on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at the Rehabilitation Center of Hampton. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 27, 2018, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 16 12th Ave NE, Hampton. Visitation will be held Friday, October 26, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Sietsema Vogel Funeral Home, 306 Central Ave E, Hampton, and again one hour prior to the services at the church. Burial will be at the Hampton Cemetery. Clarence Wesley Kruse was born on May 27, 1926 to Carl and Sophia (Schultz) Kruse. He was baptized on June 20th, 1926 at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church near Beed's Lake by Pastor E.G. Juengel. He was confirmed on May 12th, 1940 by Pastor George A. Koch at Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton, Iowa. Clarence graduated from Hampton High School in 1943. After graduation he joined the Army and served during World War II. On June 30th, 1951 Clarence was united in marriage to Ione Ruth Nack of Grafton, Iowa. The marriage took place at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Hampton and was performed by Reverend Arthur F. Lindner. To this union one son was born, Steven. He, Ione and Steven faithfully attended Trinity church services where Clarence served on various boards throughout the years. He also served as usher for almost all of the funeral services in the church since 1948. Clarence served on the Franklin County 4-H Committee, the ASC County Committee and the FHA board of Franklin County. He was a charter member of the Hampton FFA Chapter and a member of the Tall Corn FFA Alumni. Clarence enjoyed farming and lived on the same farm South of Hampton for 69 years. Clarence and Ione enjoyed the friendships of many good neighbors, friends and relatives. He enjoyed bowling, playing cards and going on trips with his wife. Clarence was a veteran of World War II having served in the Army during the war. He was a proud member of the Hampton American Legion. On September 7th, 2010 Clarence was privileged to go on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. He was able to go with his life long Army buddy, Alfred Petzke of Rockford, Illinois. Steven was able to be their guardian on the trip where they viewed the WW II monument and other sites of interest. It was a day of reminiscing for the 89 Veterans on the flight. Clarence was preceded in death by his wife, Ione on January 24th, 2010, his parents, an infant brother, a sister Velma Fehd, and a brother Leslie. He is survived by his son, Steven, of Mason City, and nieces and nephews, Lois (Gareld) Johnson, Donald Fehd, Marlys (John) Stefl, Rhonda (Bruce) Nordin and Paul (Teresa) Kruse. He is also survived by a niece, Ramona (Al) Meyer and Laurie Nack. Those planning an expression of sympathy may do so to the Clarence W. Kruse memorial fund.

Tributes

Clarence W. Kruse

May 27, 1926 - October 23, 2018