Thomas R. Kruse

KRUSE

Posted By: Roger L. Kruse (email)
Date: 12/15/2013 at 15:10:19

Thomas R. Kruse
August 3, 1940 - July 13, 2011

Thomas R. Kruse, 70, of Weslaco, TX, a former long time resident and beloved band director of Cherokee, IA, passed away on July 13, 2011 following a lengthy illness.

Tom was born on August 3, 1940 in Aurelia, IA, to Raymond and Ethel (Johnson) Kruse. He grew up in Aurelia keeping busy with his family, his love of music and playing his trumpet, playing football, raising and showing cattle, taking care of his horse, and helping his dad at his grocery store. He graduated from Aurelia High School in 1958. He continued his education at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD, graduating in 1962 with a Fine Arts degree in Music and received his Masters in Music in 1966.

He was united in marriage to Judy Thompson on August 12, 1962, in Garretson, SD. Tom began his long and fulling career of teaching music in Hull, IA, where he was the high school band director. The couple moved to Fort Dodge, IA, where Tom taught at Iowa Central Community College. Tom and Judy moved to Cherokee, IA, in 1974 where Tom took over as the band director at Washington High School. His passion and talent for music led to him directing and choreographing many years of shows that won the school countless accolades from competitions as far away as Winnipeg, Canada. His "Marching 150" band was revered all over Iowa, South Dakota, and Minnesota. After almost 28 years of teaching, Tom decided to move on and worked as a fundraising salesman until retiring in 2010. He and Judy relocated to Texas in 2009 to enjoy the Rio Grande Valley.

Tom was a member of the St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Cherokee and faithfully served as the bell choir director for 27 years. He had a great love of riding his Honda Gold Wing and was a member of the Western Iowa Cycle Riders and the RETREADS. He and Judy took many trips all across the United States enjoying the open road.

He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, and sister, Janice Cuthell.

Survivors include his loving wife Judy; his son Scott (Judy) Kruse and his daughter Stacy Kruse all of Hoffman Estates, IL; his two brothers, Don (Jean) Kruse and Roger Kruse, all of Texas; his treasured grandchildren, Jordan, Chase, and Riley Kruse; and many brothers and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.