KRUSE, Donald Ray

Mohave Daily News, Mohave Valley, AZ - Published in Mohave Daily News Online from August 15 to August 22, 2012 - Donald Ray Kruse, 79, a 6-year resident of Laughlin, Nev., passed away Thursday, August 9, 2012, in Las Vegas, Nev. He was born October 18, 1932, in Duluth, Minn., where he was raised until he joined the United Sates Air Force in 1949. He meet his wife of 45 years, Marlene Kruse, at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla. He quickly rose through the ranks and retired as a Senior Master Sergeant after 21+ years. He later returned to work for the Air Force as a civilian, finally retiring as a Deputy Chief of Procurement at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, Nev. He was a long standing member of the Shrine organization, a Mason and was a part-time employee and volunteer for LVMPD. Donald was preceded in his death by his wife, Marlene Kruse; mother Mabel Ebmer and father, Rudy Kruse; step-mother, Lucy Kruse; and twin sister, Donna Hutchins. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly (Dale) Pillsbury; two sons, Eric (Teresa) Kruse and Michael (Summer) Kruse; two sisters, Cheryl (Jim) Smolnikar and Wendy (Reggie) Meyer; seven grandchildren listed from eldest age: Jeremie, Christian, Cameron, Cody, Meghan, Colyn, and Chase; and many wonderful nephews and nieces. Services will be at 10:40 a.m. on Friday, August 17, 2012, at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Buchanan Blvd, Boulder City, Nev.