Obit: Kruse, Otto Ernest (1921 - 2004)

Transcribed by: Crystal Wendt

Surnames: Kruse, Euler, Betts, Kopsa

---Source: Muscatine Journal (Muscatine, Iowa) 4 May 2004

---Kruse, Otto Ernest (11 April 1921 - 29 April 2004)

Otto Kruse M. D.

Memorial services were today at Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church, Tipton.

TIPTON, Iowa - Otto Ernest Kruse M.D., 83, Tipton, died Thursday, April 29, 2004.

Memorial services were today at Trinity Lutheran Evangelical Church, Tipton. He donated his body to the University Of Iowa College Of Medicine. The family asks that no flowers be sent and all memorials be donated to Cedar Manor Nursing Home, Trinity Lutheran Church, Tipton, and University of Iowa Foundation, Cancer Research. Fry Funeral Home, Tipton, is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be left for the Kruse family at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Dr. Kruse was born April 11, 1921, in Tomahawk, Wis., the son of Karl and Katharina Euler Kruse. He married Verna Evangeline Betts June 14, 1949, at the Norwegian Lutheran Church, Cresco.

Six weeks after his birth his family moved back to Germany where they stayed for the first two years of his life before returning to the United States to live in Munising, Mich., where his father was a baker. In 1928 the Kruse family moved to Lisbon, where they purchased a home and bakery. He graduated from Lisbon High School in 1939, then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Iowa in 1943, and later received his MD from the University Of Iowa College Of Medicine in 1945. After graduation he began a rotating internship at Milwaukee County Hospital.

He served as a first lieutenant and captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corps attached to the Army Air Corp from 1946-1948. He was stationed at Brooke General Hospital, Fort Sam, Houston, Texas; Orlando Army Air Base, Orlando, Fla.; and Marietta Army Air Base, Marietta, Ga.

He was one of five Kruse children in service at the same time during World War II. After discharge he served a one-year residency at St. Luke's Hospital, Cedar Rapids, where he met his future bride. She was a registered nurse graduate at St. Luke's. After his residency was completed they were married.

He opened a medical practice in Tipton with Dr. Walter Kopsa in 1949 where he was a general practitioner for 40 years and retired in 1989.

Throughout his lifetime he served numerous organizations including the Tipton City Council, charter member of the Cedar Manor Board, Hoover Health Council, on the Board of Iowa Lutheran Social Services, the Iowa Syndical Board of the United Lutheran Church of America, Trinity Lutheran Church Council, Board of Cedar Medical Society, medical advisor to the Selective Service Board, Hospice Board member, Board member of Heritage Foundation Agency, involved in Volunteer Services and Meals on Wheels, Cedar County medical examiner, Board of Directors of Tipton State Bank.

He was one of the last "country doctors" who still made house calls. He saw a lot of changes through his medical career, including increased use of diagnostic testing, immunization and antibiotics, as well as new surgical procedures and medications for treating heart disease.

He was devoted to his family and his patients. He was an avid gardener; baker, known for his homemade bread; he enjoyed reading, traveling and woodworking.

Survivors include his wife; five sons, Craig of Minneapolis, Minn., Bill of Cresco and Dave, Mark and Eric, all of Tipton; a daughter, Anilise Kruse of Cedar Rapids; a sister, Katy Kruse of Iowa City; nine grandchildren, Jered, Jenny, Andy, Micki, Becky, Michael, Katie, Tyler and Jake.

He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Fred, Carl, Bill; and a sister, Anna.

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