Steven L. Kruse of North Platte, Nebraska passed away on March 27, 2021. Steve was born January 6, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York to Percy M. Kruse and Frances (Molyneaux) Kruse. His family moved to Grand Island, Nebraska shortly after Steve was born. He graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 1964. He was a member of the Nebraska National Guard and served in Vietnam. After he returned home, he graduated from Kearney State College in 1971. He was honorably discharged in 1972.
He was united in marriage to Nancy M. (Ward) Kruse on April 26, 1968 in Grand Island, Nebraska where their son Brian was born. The family moved to Columbus, Nebraska after Steve found work as a manager with Lindsay Manufacturing Co. While living in Columbus, their daughter Kerri was born. In 1978 the family moved to North Platte, Nebraska and Steve began working for the Union Pacific Railroad, first in the yards, then as a brakeman, and ultimately as a conductor. He retired in August 2007.
Steve loved spending time with his family. He also loved the outdoors, including hunting, fishing, and camping. In his retirement he and Nancy loved vacationing together at the beach and watching their grandchildren’s sporting events.
Steve is survived by his wife, Nancy; his son, Brian Kruse and his wife, Mindy of Lincoln, Nebraska; his daughter, Kerri Deibert and her fiancé, Ryan Bellew of North Platte, Nebraska; three grandchildren, Jayden Kruse, William Kruse, and Brooklyn Deibert; two brothers, Peter Kruse and his wife, Denice of Grand Island, Nebraska and Gary Kruse and his wife, Cindy of Highlands Ranch, Colorado; and two sisters, Betty and her husband, Rick Kapernick of Los Alamos, New Mexico and Georgia and her husband, Roger Snyder of Lincoln, Nebraska.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Wreaths Across America to support Veterans that have been buried.
Memorial Service will be at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, 1616 West B Street, North Platte, Nebraska on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Daniel Ramsey officiating. Burial will be at Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska. The service will be livestreamed via the Carpenter Memorial Chapel Facebook page.
Book signing will be 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2021 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is entrusted with arrangements. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be directed to www.carpentermemorial.com.