Michael M. “Mike” Kruse, age 67, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Unity Point Health - St. Luke’s Hospital of Sioux City, Iowa.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, November 6, 2023, at St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Reverend Nathan Peitsch will officiate.
A Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., Sunday, November 5, 2023, at the Armstrong – Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa.
The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.
Michael M. “Mike” Kruse was born on December 17, 1955, in Sioux City, Iowa, to Marvin H. and Joyce M. (Bierwirth) Kruse. He grew up on a farm south of Danbury, Iowa and lived in the area all of his life. Mike was baptized, confirmed, and a life-long member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Mapleton, Iowa. He attended Maple Valley Community School graduating with the class of 1974.
Farming had been Mike’s passion since he was young. He started his career working with his dad, later farming on his own. Mike had just finished his final harvest using his trusty green combine.
In 1983 Mike met Sharon Weflen while getting his trucking license. The couple married on January 4, 1988, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Mike enjoyed being a long-haul trucker for many years, hauling cattle/hogs, dry freight and Farmland meat to the West Coast.
As soon as he was able to ride a bike, Mike would escape to local fishing holes with his friends from school. Later he came to love the “big water” on numerous vacations to Akaska, South Dakota and Lake Sakakawea, North Dakota, with many good fishing buddies from Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife Sharon (Weflen) Kruse of Mapleton, IA; mother Joyce Kruse of Mapleton, IA; sisters Susan Kruse of Mapleton, IA and Brenda (Greg) Wilkins of Missouri Valley, IA; nephews Paul (Beth) Wilkins of Missouri Valley, IA and Clay (Jaiden Buller) Wilkins of Missouri Valley, IA; great niece Maeve Wilkins; brothers-and sisters-in-law Marleen Weflen of Mesa, AZ, Colleen (Don Weber) Weflen of Bismark, ND, Cathy Weflen of Wylie, TX, and Norris Weflen of New Town, ND; aunts Delores Boysen of LeMars, IA, Delores Gosch of Mapleton, IA and Lucille Kruse of Denison, IA; uncle Bud (Rita) Birwirth of LeMars, IA; and many nieces and nephews-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his father Marvin Kruse, maternal and paternal grandparents, and several aunts and uncles.
Previous Events
Visitation
5
Nov
210 South 5th Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
Memorial Service
6
Nov
504 Walnut Street
Mapleton, IA 51034
