Lavonne "Vonnie" B. Kruse

LaVonne B. Kruse (Vonnie), the daughter of John and Fannie (Dykstra) Bruns, was born August 29, 1925 in Sioux County, Iowa. She was a tag-along with 2 older sisters, Lois and Joan. 

Vonnie attended country school through the 8th grade and moved with her family to Peterson, Iowa, where she graduated high school in 1943. 

Vonnie married Ivan P. Kruse in Heron Lake, Minnesota on May 28, 1945. While Ivan served in the U.S. Navy, Vonnie worked at the bank in Peterson. The couple farmed and raised their family, Brad and Marilyn, in the Rossie, Sioux Rapids, Hartley, and Everly areas. Vonnie worked at the Everly State Bank for many years and truly loved being from Iowa. 

Vonnie and Ivan were a special couple and enjoyed 52 years of a very happy marriage. Ivan passed away in 1997. They had fun dancing, playing cards with their dear friends, and traveling. Vonnie and Ivan especially loved their family and made many trips to Minnesota for grandchildren’s activities, where they were fondly known by all as Grandma and Grandpa Iowa. The couple stayed active in the community by planning and escorting day trips to local areas of interest. They took great pleasure in this activity and treasured the many friends they made. Vonnie liked sewing, needlework, and reading. She participated in bingo, bridge, and Dinner Date as well. 

Vonnie and Ivan were active members of Hope Lutheran Church in Everly. In 2000, when Vonnie moved to Golf View in Spencer, she became a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. She felt very welcomed and supported by this family of faith. Having lived and worked in many surrounding communities, it seemed that Vonnie knew just about everybody and enjoyed visiting wherever she went. 

In 2017, Vonnie transitioned to St. Luke Lutheran Home, where she resided until her death on December 28, 2019. She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters, husband, and son. 

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter and her family. Marilyn lives with her husband, Craig Mueller in St. James, MN. Her grandchildren are Lindsay Weaver (Aaron) of Sioux Falls, SD; Ryan Mueller (Danielle) of Lake Crystal, MN; Brady Mueller (Nano) of Bloomington, MN; and Kelsey Nelson (Gerad) of La Quinta, CA. Great-grandchildren include Grace, Nora, and Ben Weaver, Callie, Grant, Delaney, Joseph, and Maren Mueller, Frederick Mueller, and Elliet, Lucy, and Maggie Nelson.  

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