Irene Kruse

Survivors include 5 sons: Ron (Pat) and Tom (Gail), both of Dyersville, Carl (Kris) of Monticello, Gary "Pink" (Jan) of New Vienna, and Dennis (Laurie) of Bettendorf; 2 daughters: Doris (Tony) Wagner of Dyersville, IA, and Nancy of Dubuque; 22 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren; 5 sisters-in-law: Adelaide Bildstein, Mary Bildstein, Charlotte Bildstein, Norma Bildstein and Dorothy Klostermann: and 1 brother-in-law, Gerald Engelken. She was preceded in death by her husband, Laverne; 2 sons: Robert and Randy; 2 sisters: Rita Mae Engelken and Marie Rausch, and 8 brothers: Lawrence, Joseph, Jr., Andy, Clarence, Ambrose, Cletus and 2 brothers in infancy. Irene was born Feb. 15, 1924, in Petersburg, Iowa the daughter of Joseph and Mary (Weber) Bildstein. She married Laverne L. Kruse on August 22, 1944, in Petersburg, Iowa. Together they farmed until they moved to Dyersville in 1969. Irene worked at the Peakenbrock sewing factory and then at Modernfold before retiring in 1989. She enjoyed spending time with the four generations of her family and traveling.