Ruby Kruse

Ruby Kruse, 97, of Cedar Falls, died Wednesday, December 24, 2014, at the Western Home Communities Elizabeth Martin Health Center in Cedar Falls. She was born July 24, 1917 in rural Tama County, Iowa, the daughter of William and Anna (Reumann) Rodimaker. Ruby married Melvin D. Kruse on August 12, 1948 at First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Falls. She was an elementary school teacher for ten years with the Tama County School System, beginning her career in a one room school house. Later, Ruby and her husband farmed near Cedar Falls and she taught in the Cedar Falls School System from 1962 until her retirement in 1981. Teaching was a great joy in Ruby's life. She also enjoyed time with family, traveling, sewing and tending to her plants. Ruby was a lifetime member of the National and State Education Associations, a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, Omicron Chapter, a teaching sorority, and First Presbyterian Church since 1949. Survivors include her two daughters, Marj (Miles) Luchtenburg of Waukee, Iowa and Sharon (Claude) McDonald of Janesville, Iowa; her son, William (Rachel) Kruse, of Ankeny, Iowa; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Ruby was preceded in death by her parents and husband, a brother, Roger Rodimaker, and a sister, Nadine Wait. Services will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2014, at First Presbyterian Church, with burial at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens, both in Cedar Falls. Visitation will be one hour before service at the church. Memorials may be directed to the church. Condolences may be left at www.DahlFuneralHome.com.