Joyce Marlene (Bierwirth) Kruse 1934 - 2025

BIERWIRTH, KRUSE, MEINS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 3/20/2025 at 14:25:09

Grapevine
Whiting, Iowa
12 March 2025

Joyce M. Kruse, age 90, of Mapleton, Iowa, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, at the Horn Memorial Hospital of Ida Grove, Iowa

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at the St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Mapleton, Iowa. Reverend Nathan Peitsch will officiate. Committal will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery of Mapleton, Iowa.

A Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service at 6:45 p.m., Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at the Armstrong-Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in honor of Joyce to the St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Mapleton at 504 Walnut Street, Mapleton, Iowa 51034.

The Armstrong - Van Houten Funeral Home of Mapleton, Iowa, are in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online www.armstrongfuneral.com.

Joyce Marlene (Bierwirth) Kruse was born on October 23, 1934 to Carl and Marie (Meins) Bierwirth at Climbing Hill on her grandparent’s farm.

Joyce started working at the bank in Anthon, Iowa, after graduating in 1953, waiting for fiancé Marvin to return from the service. On March 6, 1955, Joyce was united in marriage to Marvin Kruse in the Trinity Lutheran Church of Anthon. The couple made their home in Anthon and were blessed with three children Michael “Mike”, Susan, and Brenda.

In 1956 the couple commenced in farming near Mapleton, Iowa, later moving near Danbury, Iowa, and continued farming. In 1973 Marvin and Joyce purchased his grandfather’s home place that he homesteaded in the 1800’s. They farmed there until retiring in 1996. In 2000 they purchased a home in Mapleton. During that time Joyce worked in Mapleton at Mapleton Livestock, First State Bank, Clothes Shack, Phillips Jewelry, Welte Tax Service, and as an in-home caretaker for Marlyn Ganzhorn.

Joyce was an active member of the St. Matthew Lutheran Church of Mapleton. Joyce loved working with her flowers and had a beautiful yard until her passing (with the help of Kenny Carley). Joyce treasured every moment spent with her family and she loved watching her family grow.

Left to cherish her memory include children Susan Kruse of Mapleton, IA and Brenda (Greg) Wilkins of Missouri Valley, IA; daughter-in-law Sharon Kruse of Mapleton, IA; grandsons Paul (Beth) Wilkins and Clay Wilkins (fiancée Jaiden Buller) both of Missouri Valley, IA; great granddaughter Maeve Wilkins and great grandson on the way; brother Carroll “Bud” Bierwirth of Le Mars, IA; extended family and friends.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Carl and Marie Bierwirth; husband Marvin Kruse; son Mike Kruse; sister Delores Boysen; brother-in-law John Boysen; sister-in-law Rita Bierwirth; in-laws Henry and Freda Kruse.