Alice Marie Kruse passed away on Friday, August 29, 2025, at Valley View Health Care in Houston, Minn., at the age of 82. Alice was born on October 12, 1942, to Charles and Ruth (Pieper) Kuecker. On April 9, 1961, she married Harold Kruse and together they raised their two sons, Daniel and Timothy, on their family farm between Eitzen and Caledonia. In 2005, Harold and Alice moved to Caledonia.
Alice loved her garden and their home always had a glorious display of flowers in bloom. She was also one of the area’s renowned cake-makers of her generation, baking and decorating hundreds of cakes for countless weddings, birthdays, and other events. Perhaps her biggest passion was sewing for her family and friends. Whether it was quilting, crocheting, making dresses for her granddaughters, loom-woven rugs or whatever she chose to create, each piece she put her hand to was filled with love and an expert knowledge of her craft. Alice and Harold loved to dance at every social gathering and always enjoyed playing cards and entertaining friends and family. Every moment that she could, Alice spent with her grandchildren – the light of her life.
Alice was a faithful and lifelong member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Caledonia, where she sang in the choir and planned and served many church pancake breakfasts, dinners and funeral receptions. She volunteered as the local secretary for Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL), planning activities and social events. Her faith and trust in her heavenly Father was the foundation of her life, and it showed in everything she did as a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend.
Alice is survived by her two sons, Dan (Becky) Kruse and Tim (Kathy) Kruse; and her three grandchildren: Marissa, Erica and Trevor Kruse. She is also survived by her sister Marilyn (Duane) Thomford, her brother John Kuecker, and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Erna Krzebietke, Dorothy Kruse (special friend Kenneth Schulze), Phyllis (Leroy) Kohlmeyer, Cheryl Skadsem, Joyce (Myron) Rediske and Devoine (Linda) Kruse; and many nieces, nephews and long-time friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 62 years, Harold. Also by her parents, her brothers and sister Kenneth Kuecker, Stanley Kuecker and Shirley Betz; and by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Stanley Betz, Paul Krzebietke, Eileen Kuecker, Lilah Kuecker, Gloria Kuecker and Kathy Kuecker.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Valley View Health Care and Rehab for their exceptional care.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, September 8, 2025, at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 650 North Kingston St., Caledonia. Rev. Tom Schultz will officiate.
Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery.
A visitation will be from 9 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the church.
Fredrickson Funeral Homes and Crematory, Caledonia, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered at FredricksonFuneralHomes.com
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