Ten Years Ago - 1944
Wallace Kruse, Motor Machinist's Mate 1C, and Private First Class Donald Kruse, sons of Claude and Ruth (Holland) Kruse, recently met in the Pacific after not having seen each other for four and a half years.

Wallace C. Kruse, 83, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away quietly on the morning of March 28, 2004.

Wally was born October 14, 1920, in Carroll, Iowa, to Claude Jacob and Ruth Agnes (Holland) Kruse.

He grew up in Winona, Minnesota, and graduated from Winona Senior High School in 1938.

Wally joined the U.S. Navy in 1939 to see the world. He served for eight years, starting aboard the DD Alden 211, an Asiatic Fleet four-stack destroyer. The Alden was a rough riding, rough living ship and he was proud to be a member of the crew. After the fall of Borneo, Java, and Singapore and the Battle of Java Sea in early 1942, he arrived in Perth, Australia, and transferred to submarines. He served on the SS Sawfish 276 and the SS Sunfish 281 until the end of World War II, rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer. His patriotism and pride showed in his daily hoisting of the American flag and in his active memberships in the Asiatic Fleet Association and the U.S. Submarine Veterans of WWII.

He returned from the war to marry his high school love, Mary Margaret Sawyer in 1946. Their marriage of 58 years was blessed with three children: Carol Kruse, Flagstaff, Arizona; Carl Kruse (Sue), Marthasville, Missouri; and Katherine Kruse Beard (Jim) Sanford, Michigan.

He is survived also by his wife; two granddaughters, Kelli Kruse and Kim Kruse Rothermel (John); three great-grandchildren, Emily, Johnnie, and Ashley Rothermel; his aunt Harriet Dick (Ray); and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A natural salesman, he worked as a sales manager for the J.R. Watkins Company in Winona, Minnesota; Iowa Falls, Iowa; Wadsworth, Ohio; and Westfield and Lake Mohawk, New Jersey; and for Furst-McNess Company in Freeport, Illinois, from 1958 to 1968. They also lived in Louisville, Kentucky, before moving to Mesa, Arizona, where both have been members of St. Mark's Episcopal Church since 1981.

Wally was an avid golfer who instilled an enthusiasm for the game in all those with whom he played. He was a voracious reader, a music lover, and a friend to animals. He also enjoyed a good cup of coffee, pancakes for breakfast, walking his dog, and watching the hummingbirds.

Life held few problems - only challenges and opportunities. An eternal optimist, he greeted each new day, and everybody in it, with a rousing ''Let's rise and shine." His positive mental attitude inspired many who knew him to and success in all aspects of their lives.

He will also be remembered for his special brand of humor, which brought joy to many. He was that rare individual who truly never met a stranger. When Wally came into the room, the sun came out.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 2 PM Saturday, April 3, at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Mesa, Arizona.

The family suggests contributions to United Food Bank, Mesa, Arizona.

Note: Wallace lived in the Manning area for several years, and is believed to have attended school in the Manning area before the family moved away.
He came back to visit his grandparents, Jacob and Wilhelmina (Dressen) Kruse here in Manning.