Larry L. Kruse

January 31, 1944 - January 20, 2020

Lawrence Leo Kruse, son of Henry and Helen (Finnegan) Kruse, was born January 31, 1944 in Denison, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Rose of Lima in Denison. He attended St. Rose of Lima grade school and graduated from Denison High School with the class of 1962. In 1966, Larry received his degree in education from Northwest Missouri State in Maryville, Missouri, he then taught at St. Bernard’s in Breda, Iowa. In 1968, he was drafted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War as a combat medic and was wounded in action. Upon returning from his honorable discharge, Larry taught in Harlan, Glenwood State Hospital, Onawa and Storm Lake in special education. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Harlan American Legion. After retirement, he moved back to Harlan. Larry died on Monday, January 20, 2020 at Avoca Specialty Care in Avoca, Iowa, attaining the age of seventy-five years, eleven months, and twenty days. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Lois Carstens and brother Bill Kruse. He is survived by his daughters Lynn Bissen, Mary Kruse, and ex-wife Lois Kruse all of Harlan, Iowa; grandchildren Alli (Zach) Clemons, Meghan Bissen, Michaela Bissen, and Hannah Bissen; brother Bob Kruse of Arizona, nieces and nephews; other family members and friends. A Celebration of Life Service was officiated by Rev. Wayne Gubbels on Thursday, January 23, 2020 at Pauley Jones Funeral Home in Harlan