Obituary for Grace Kruse
Mrs. Grace Doris Kruse, age 91 of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away on Monday, February 13, 2023 at the University Hospital, Columbia, Mo.
She was born on September 10, 1931 in St. Louis, Mo., a daughter of William Luther and Ida Lee Davis. On June 23, 1951, Grace was united in marriage to Donald John Kruse at St. Peters Church in Jefferson City, Mo. Donald survives at the home and together they spent 71 wonderful years of marriage.
Grace was a 1949 graduate of Jefferson City High School and began working at Capital Theater as a Ticket Sales Associate which is where she met Donald. She enjoyed her position as a cashier, waitress and hostess for some of Jefferson City’s most loved restaurants including, Adcocks, Brass Rail, Oscars, and Ecco. When she and Donald purchased rental properties, she was profoundly involved in managing and maintaining them. However, her most important and most loved job, was being the most amazing homemaker in her own home. She cherished time raising her family and was a dedicated wife and mother, always putting them first.
Grace volunteered for many years with the March of Dimes, ending her roles in 1970 as a General Campaign Chairperson. She was also involved in the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.
Grace was a very supportive wife as Donald took over his father’s shop, Capital Machine. Donald’s father, Julius Kruse started the family business in 1933 and over the years the dedicated hard work from Donald and Grace helped make the business what it is today.
Grace was passionate about historical preservation. She passed down family stories through oral history and in 1969, she and Don purchased the Villa Panorama, a Jefferson City mansion with a rich history. Grace made the house a home for their family and embarked on a journey of extensive research which made it possible for the home to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
She loved to travel with her family and friends. Some of her favorite destinations were the beach for a relaxing getaway, Vegas to try her luck at the casinos, and weekend trips to spend time with the girls. She was quite the theatrical story teller and was always happy to share memories, especially those of her grandchildren when they were young. She and her husband were known for their Friday date nights where they would dance the night away and enjoy some delicious food as Grace loved to go out to eat. One of her favorite meals was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and EXTRA gravy. She was an enthusiastic football fan rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. She relished the opportunity to rise early on Saturday mornings to go antique shopping and to rummage sales. She had a talent for renovations, remodeling and updating many of their rental homes.
Above all Grace loved her family and felt every moment spent with them was a treasure. When their grandchildren were young, Don and Grace had designated sleepover nights at their house where countless memories were made. They raised two of their grandchildren as their own and she was known for her “1 Grama” license plate. She loved talking on the phone and hosting friends and family for parties and dinners. Grace’s natural elegance meant she truly lived up to her name. She was helpful, kind, and loved to laugh. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.
The family would like to formally thank Jan Kruse for taking wonderful care of their parents.
Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Donald of the home; children, Jan Kruse, Mike Kruse (Tambra), Denise Peters, and Shelley Kruse (Sharon) all of Jefferson City; eight grandchildren, Krista Roberts (Ken), James Peters (Ashley), Alicia Dixon (Craig), Sarah Cain (Andy), Stacey Cowan (Chris), Michael Kruse (Melissa), Kalen Thompson (Casey), and Tyler Thomas; and 16 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; siblings; daughter, Maridee Thomas; and son-in-law, Jim Peters.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2023 at Freeman Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2023, in the Freeman Chapel with Chaplain David Tolliver, Jan Kruse, and Kalen Thompson officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Peter Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.
She was born on September 10, 1931 in St. Louis, Mo., a daughter of William Luther and Ida Lee Davis. On June 23, 1951, Grace was united in marriage to Donald John Kruse at St. Peters Church in Jefferson City, Mo. Donald survives at the home and together they spent 71 wonderful years of marriage.
Grace was a 1949 graduate of Jefferson City High School and began working at Capital Theater as a Ticket Sales Associate which is where she met Donald. She enjoyed her position as a cashier, waitress and hostess for some of Jefferson City’s most loved restaurants including, Adcocks, Brass Rail, Oscars, and Ecco. When she and Donald purchased rental properties, she was profoundly involved in managing and maintaining them. However, her most important and most loved job, was being the most amazing homemaker in her own home. She cherished time raising her family and was a dedicated wife and mother, always putting them first.
Grace volunteered for many years with the March of Dimes, ending her roles in 1970 as a General Campaign Chairperson. She was also involved in the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.
Grace was a very supportive wife as Donald took over his father’s shop, Capital Machine. Donald’s father, Julius Kruse started the family business in 1933 and over the years the dedicated hard work from Donald and Grace helped make the business what it is today.
Grace was passionate about historical preservation. She passed down family stories through oral history and in 1969, she and Don purchased the Villa Panorama, a Jefferson City mansion with a rich history. Grace made the house a home for their family and embarked on a journey of extensive research which made it possible for the home to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.
She loved to travel with her family and friends. Some of her favorite destinations were the beach for a relaxing getaway, Vegas to try her luck at the casinos, and weekend trips to spend time with the girls. She was quite the theatrical story teller and was always happy to share memories, especially those of her grandchildren when they were young. She and her husband were known for their Friday date nights where they would dance the night away and enjoy some delicious food as Grace loved to go out to eat. One of her favorite meals was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and EXTRA gravy. She was an enthusiastic football fan rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers. She relished the opportunity to rise early on Saturday mornings to go antique shopping and to rummage sales. She had a talent for renovations, remodeling and updating many of their rental homes.
Above all Grace loved her family and felt every moment spent with them was a treasure. When their grandchildren were young, Don and Grace had designated sleepover nights at their house where countless memories were made. They raised two of their grandchildren as their own and she was known for her “1 Grama” license plate. She loved talking on the phone and hosting friends and family for parties and dinners. Grace’s natural elegance meant she truly lived up to her name. She was helpful, kind, and loved to laugh. She will be missed by those who knew and loved her.
The family would like to formally thank Jan Kruse for taking wonderful care of their parents.
Survivors include her husband of 71 years, Donald of the home; children, Jan Kruse, Mike Kruse (Tambra), Denise Peters, and Shelley Kruse (Sharon) all of Jefferson City; eight grandchildren, Krista Roberts (Ken), James Peters (Ashley), Alicia Dixon (Craig), Sarah Cain (Andy), Stacey Cowan (Chris), Michael Kruse (Melissa), Kalen Thompson (Casey), and Tyler Thomas; and 16 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by: her parents; siblings; daughter, Maridee Thomas; and son-in-law, Jim Peters.
Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2023 at Freeman Mortuary.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Friday, February 17, 2023, in the Freeman Chapel with Chaplain David Tolliver, Jan Kruse, and Kalen Thompson officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Resurrection Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. Peter Catholic Church or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary, 915 Madison St, Jefferson City, MO 65101.