Rev. Frank Louis Kruwell (1868-1935)

KRUWELL, GRAF, HARTMAN, SCHNEIDER

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/15/2021 at 20:23:45

From Nevada Evening Journal November 16, 1935 (page 1 continued to page 5)

KRUWELL FUNERAL LARGELY ATTENDED

DECEASED METHODIST MINISTER WAS BROUGHT TO NEVADA FOR BURIAL

The body of Rev. F. L. Kruwell, 67, who died at the family home at Kamrar, Tuesday, was laid to rest in the Nevada cemetery late Friday afternoon, following funeral services at the Methodist church of Kamrar earlier in the afternoon--this on the sixty-seventh anniversary of his birth.

A host of relatives and friends had gathered for the service and the church in which he had labored as pastor during the closing months of his life was filled to overflowing. Ministers from all parts of the district were present, as well as friends from the various communities in which he had held pastorates.

The floral offerings were many and beautiful and revealed but in a small measure the fine esteem in which he had been held.

The funeral services were conducted by the Rev. N. A. Price, superintendent of the Fort Dodge district, assisted by Rev. J. J. Shore of Webster City, Rev. C. H. Kamphoefner of Sioux City and Rev. H. E. Hutchinson of Spencer. The latter preached the sermon.

Pallbearers were chosen from among the members of the Kamrar and Stanhope churches.

Following the service at Kamrar the funeral party drove to Nevada where interment was made in the local cemetery.

Many Nevada friends who had met Rev. Kruwell during his numerous visits to the home of his son in Nevada, had gathered at the cemetery to meet the funeral party

The following sketch of the life work of the deceased was read during the service:

"Sixty-seven years ago this very day, on Nov. 15, 1868, there was born unto Henry and Mary Kruwell in Jonesville, Indiana, a son, whom they named Frank Louis. There amidst the surroundings of Christian home Frank grew up; there he had his schooling; and there from early childhood on he attended Sunday school and church services. Thus were laid deep and secure the foundations of a Christian character and a life of service.

"But Frank's ambition to make a place for himself in the world hushed the early promptings of the Holy Spirit which would have led him directly into the Christian ministry. At the age of seventeen he ventured forth for himself, and as a young man started on a mercantile career, in Seymour, Ind., where he continued for a number of years.

"On August 24, 1893 he was united in holy wedlock with Miss Ida Graf of Spraytown, Ind., a union which continued a happy honeymoon unto the end. Three sons came to bless their home: Harold Graf, Glenn Francis and Lynn Leroy.

"Early in the present century Brother Kruwell's call to preach became very clear and definite, as if he heard a voice calling; and, as one whose lips were touched with a live coal from off the altar of God, he yielded and said, "Here am I; send me." He attended Taylor University in Upland, Ind., and then in 1907 he began his ministry out on the frontier at Gregory, S. D., without a parsonage, and with only a shack for church. That winter he led his loyal laymen in the construction of a beautiful little prairie church. After serving two more charges in South Dakota at Fairfax and Hudson, he came to Iowa and in 1912, was admitted on a trial in the Northwestern Iowa Conference, having been ordained a deacon in the previous year. In 1916 he was ordained an elder. In this Conference he served the following charges: West Bend, Thompson, Hubbard, Holstein, Ute, Superior, Marathon, Burt, Hardy-Renwick, Ireton, Arthur, Jolley, and Kamrar-Stanhope.

"He preached in both his churches on last Sunday, but became ill Sunday night. All day Monday he was perfectly conscious and visited with his wife and children, enjoyed the radio, and communed with his Lord. At 6:52 Tuesday morning his confident spirit took wings toward the 'land of pure delight where saints immortal dwell.'

"Brother Kruwell leaves to mourn his loss his wife, Ida; three sons, Harold Graf of Nevada, Iowa, Glenn Francis of Williamsburg, Iowa and Lynn Leroy of Rock Rapids, Iowa; three daughters-in-aw whom he loved as own daughters; one brother, Louis of Columbus, Ind.; and two sisters, Minnie (Mrs. Edward Hartman) of Wichita, Kans. and Ida (Mrs. Edward Schneider) of Columbus, Inc. His passing is also deeply mourned by his ministerial brethren and by many friends in the churches he has served.

"Brother Kruwell was a humble and faithful servant of God. He greatly enjoyed the fellowship of the Conference, often saying there could be no other fellowship like that of Church and of the ministry. Throughout the years he never doubted his call to preach, and often declared there was nothing he would rather do than preach the gospel. Two passages of scripture were especially dear to him: Ro 8:16-17, which assure him we are joint heirs in Christ, and I Co. 2:9: "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have we entered into the heart of man the things God hath prepared for them that love him." In his sermons Sunday he seemed at his very best, and was very happy, saying when he came home, "One more day's work for Jesus, one less of life for me."

Among the relatives and close friends from a distance who accompanied the funeral party from Kamrar to Nevada were Rev. Kruwell's brother Louis Kruwell of Columbus, Indiana, a sister-in-law Mrs. Emma Kruwell of Indianapolis, a niece Mrs. Anita Vehslege of Indianapolis and Mrs. Kruwell's brother William Graf of Chillicothe, Ohio; C. R. and Harry Christianson of Soldier, Iowa, and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Goza of Tama. There were many other relatives and friends from a distance present at the funeral, coming from Sioux Falls, S. D., Sheldon, Vinton and various other places in Iowa where Rev. Kruwell had been pastor.