Bertha M Kruse

Bertha Marie Kruse, age 91, of Mankato and formerly of St. Clair, died Wednesday afternoon, February 11, 2004 at the Mankato Lutheran Home, in Mankato.

Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Clair with Rev. Daniel Schmidt officiating. Burial will be in St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. Sunday at Mankato Mortuary and one hour prior to services at the church on Monday. Memorials are preferred to St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church or to the Mankato Lutheran Home.

Bertha was born November 1, 1912 in Mankato to Nicklaus and Bertha (Schoettler) King. She attended Immanuel Lutheran School and Mankato High School and had worked for various Mankato stores. On June 5, 1932, she married Fredrick Kruse at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato. They farmed near St. Clair for many years and retired and moved to Skyline in 1967. Bertha moved to the Mankato Lutheran Home in 1997 due to her health. She was a member of St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Clair and was formerly involved with the Ladies Aid. She enjoyed baking and attending plays and concerts.

Survivors include her daughter, Barbara Blume of St. Paul Park; grandson, Paul Blume of St. Paul Park; sister-in-law, Martha King of North Mankato; several nieces, one nephew, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1981, four brothers, and two sisters.