Obituary: Kruse, Kermit O.

KRUSE,
Kermit O.

Born on September 28, 1920 in Sioux Falls South Dakota, to Bertha and Carl Kruse.

He passed away May 18, 2012 in Renton WA at the home of his son Michael Kruse.

In truth, Kerm died on July 23, 2011 when the love of his life and wife of 65 years June left him to be with God.

Kerm spent his early years on the farm in South Dakota.

At 18 he enlisted in the Coast Guard despite the fact that he could not swim, knowing there was no way he could be stationed in the state that he was desperate to leave.

After his service in the war with the Navy, he met June in Seattle and three days later they were married on February 6, 1946.

The pair was a perfect balance, as June was like a sky-rocket and Kerm was solid as a rock.

He combined his love of airplanes and electronics in a career as an Air Traffic Controller.

He retired in 1974, but continued this passion the rest of his life.

With a love of the Ham Radio he talked with people all over the world everyday.

June and Kerm lived out their lives in Spokane which they loved amongst their many friends and family.

Kerm is survived by his sisters Marilyn (Kruse) Haugen, Kathleen (Kruse) VanDuzer; sons Michael (Susan), Richard; six grandchildren and six great-grand- children.

Kerm will be interred at the Willamette National Cemetery outside Portland Oregon along with his beloved June and beside her mother Teresa Ailman.

While it is hard to see Kerm go, it is difficult not to smile and think of the long, happy, wonderful and loving life he had with June, his family and friends.