Reinhardt W. "Randy" Kruse, 93, of Grand Island died Sunday, May 1, 2011, at the Grand Island Nebraska Veterans Home.

Randy was born Nov. 14, 1917, on the family farm near Worms the son of Herman and Bertha (Tuenge) Kruse.

He was united in marriage to Eileen E. Poehler on June 10, 1945. She preceded him in death on Dec. 9, 2010.

Survivors of the immediate family include three sons and daughters-in-law, Virgil and Debbie Kruse, Dennis and Linda Kruse and Ron and Anne Kruse, all of Grand Island; a brother, Walter Kruse of Grand Island; a sister, Erna Pohlman of Pocatello, Idaho; sisters-in-law, Christina Kruse of Grand Island and Louise Kruse of Westminster, Colo.

Additional survivors include a brother-in-law and his wife, Gerald and Pat Poehler of Shelton, and sister-in-law, Lucille Woodring of Escondido, Calif.; grandchildren, Kevin and Lindsay Kruse of Lincoln, Melissa and Matthew Peeples of Tempe, Ariz., Lori Kruse of Portland, Ore., Denise Kruse Hilbers of Avenhorn, Netherlands, Matthew Kruse of Los Angeles, Calif., and fiance, Mandy, Tom and Gayle Kruse of Lincoln and Mandi and Ryan Crick of Bellevue; and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Kruse was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers and eight sisters.

He was raised on the family farm and received his education at Zion Lutheran School at Worms.

Randy was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church.

He was a machinist at Douglas Aircraft in California before entering the United States Army on Sept. 2, 1942, and honorably discharged in 1943.

Following the military, he came back to Nebraska where he worked for Diamond Engineering. He founded RW Kruse Electric in 1946 and retired in 1983.

Memberships include Trinity Lutheran Church and the Platt Duetsche Society.

He was an avid hunter and fisherman and enjoyed gardening.

Published Grand Independent 05/03/2011