Rose Mary (Rosie) Kruse born November 25, 1936 in Dubuque, IA has joined her late husband Daniel, her sons Kevin and Kerry, parents Nick and Stella Elgin on October 23, 2026.

Visitation for Rose Mary will be held from 2 to 8 p.m., on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Reiff Funeral Home in Farley, where a prayer service will be held at 1:30 p.m. Visitation will also be held from 9 to 10 a.m. on Friday at St. Clements Catholic Church in Bankston.

Mass of Christian Burial for Rose Mary will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, October 30, 2026, at St. Clements Catholic Church in Bankston, Iowa, with Rev. Anthony Kruse and MJ Groark presiding, assisting Deacon Dan O’Connell. Burial will be held at the St. Clements Cemetery in Bankston, IA.

Rose Mary lived most of her life in Bankston, IA. She received her education from St. Clements Catholic High School in Bankston. On August 22, 1956, she was united in marriage to Daniel (Dan) Kruse at St. Clements Catholic Church in Bankston.

She cherished her time in the kitchen, where her talents for cooking, baking, and canning shone brightly. She openly accepted communities excess harvest, knowing Rosie would use it somehow. Her generosity and work ethic were legendary, once turning a surprise delivery of apples into 75 delicious homemade pies. An endless number of people enjoyed her signature cinnamon rolls, cookies, pies, cakes, German potato salad, cold potato salad, and coleslaw at local events. Rosie treasured donating a food basket to the annual auction—overflowing with homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, jelly, sauerkraut, and crisp pickles. Rosie left memorable moments with her workers throughout her 40+ years of catering.

Rosie is survived by her children: Karl Kruse of Bankston, IA, Kelly Kruse (Lisa Hefley) of Nashville, TN, Karen (Ken) Lehman of Lakeville, MN, Pam (Mike) Goedken of Dyersville, IA, Phil (Shelley) Kruse of Farley, IA, Donna Kramer (Kevin’s Life Partner) of Dyersville, IA.

9 grandchildren: Dawn (Greg) Olson, Kendra (Christian) Miller, Kayla (Nathan) Young, Danielle, Luke, Logan and Nicole Goedken, Jami (Ty) Fangman, and Brett Kruse; 10 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren.

2 brothers: Bobby and Marvin Elgin; 5 sisters: LouAnn Deutmeyer, Sharon Ludwig, Betty (Dave) Ludwig, Linda Elgin, MaDonna (Danny) Gibbs; Sisters-in-law: Mae Elgin and Dot Elgin; brothers and sisters-in-law: Henry “Jr.” (Doris) Kruse and Ronnie Kruse.

Preceded in death by her husband Daniel (Dan) Kruse; children Kevin and Kerry Kruse; grandchild Isabella Miller; parents Nick and Stella (Hess) Elgin; Father and Mother-in-law Henry and Evelyn (Pasker) Kruse; three brothers Jim (Theresa) Elgin, Don Elgin, and Willie Elgin; 4 sisters Grace (Larry) Davis, Dorothy (Dort) Elgin, Darlene (Ralph) Kramer, Diane (Vince) Ehrlich; brothers and sisters-in-law Gladys Elgin, Bill Deutmeyer, Tom Ludwig, Robert, Richard and David Kruse, and Mary Kruse; Nieces/nephews: Colleen Drees, Jim and Donnie Davis and Bev Christensen.

The Kruse family would like to give a special thank you to the nurses and staff at St. Croix Hospice for the wonderful care and support they gave to Rose Mary and family. Additional thanks to Epworth Fire & EMT.

Flowers are welcomed, but in lieu of live plants, the family requests donations be made to: The Friends of St. Clement Church of Bankston.