Anna M. Kruse, 90, of Eau Claire, WI, passed away on July 10, 2012, at Fall Creek Valley Care Center where she had been a resident. She was born on her family farm just 1-l/2 miles south of Springbrook, Wisconsin, on March 25, 1922, the 5th child, 4th daughter of George and Anna (Johnson) Kruse. When her father's health and sight no longer permitted him to farm, Anna moved with her parents, two sisters and a niece, Beverly Jayne, to Eau Claire. She entered the Eau Claire school system at Seventh Ward as a third grader and graduated as an honor student from Eau Claire Senior High School with the class of 1939. Following further training, at the then Vocational School, she started her secretarial career at the Northwestern Motor Company; after 26 years she left to work at the Northwest Psychiatric Clinic and continued working for Dr. Albert Lorenz until her retirement in 1991. Soon after arriving in Eau Claire Anna started Sunday School at Grace Lutheran Church where she later was baptized, confirmed, sang in the Senior Choir, was a member of Youth Fellowship, Lutheran Daughters of the Reformation, the Women's Organization, Circle, Reading Club (many years secretary) and regularly attended Sunday worship services until her health prevented her being actively involved. She was grateful for and proud of her 80 plus years of membership. She was a voracious reader (often reading through the night), enjoyed bicycling, golfing, traveling; never happier than sitting behind the wheel of a car driving down an Iowan highway when there was no speed limit! Interested in antiques, she was seen at many thrift sales and auctions. Life would not have been complete without her family and many friends; spending time with them gave her much joy and pleasure. Open-heart surgery, three corneal transplants restoring her sight and recovery from cancer were the three miracles for which she thanked her God! Anna is survived by four nieces, Colleen (Kenneth, Sr.) Heacox of Eau Claire, Virginia (Harry) Childs of Mountain City, TN, JoAnn (Fred) Gross of Brule, WI and Patricia Schiff of South Range, WI; her nephew, Steven Orlikoski of Brule, WI; grand nieces and grand nephews including her Godchild, Betsy (John) Ruesch of Eau Claire; and many other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Georgie Ann Gladwell, Clara Hammer, Avis Washkuhn, and Elma Stephenson; a brother (in infancy); five brothers-in-law, Raymond Hammer, Harry Washkuhn, Alfred Orlikoski, Newell Stephenson, and Robert Gladwell. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on July 14 in the chapel at Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Ave., Eau Claire, with Pastor David Irgens officiating. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery in Eau Claire. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home is serving her family. To express condolences online, please visit www.lenmarkfh.com Please direct Memorials to Grace Lutheran Church, 202 W. Grand Ave. Eau Claire, WI 54701.

Service Information

Visitation

Saturday, July 14 2012 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Grace Lutheran Church Chapel 202 West Grand Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703

Funeral Service

Saturday, July 14 2012 11:00 AM

Grace Lutheran Church Chapel 202 West Grand Avenue Eau Claire WI 54703