Kenneth Wayne Kruse, 85, of Marysville died February 7, 2023 at Cambridge Place in Marysville.
Ken was born September 8, 1937 on the family farm near Bremen, Kansas, to Laverne and Verna (Bormann) Kruse. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church at Bremen. He attended Immanuel Lutheran School through grade 8 and graduated from Hanover High School in 1955. He attended Kansas University before starting work at the Pick Kansas Hotel in Topeka. Hotel finance became his life work until he retired from the Buena Vista Palace Hotel in Orlando, Florida, in 1998 as Director of Finance.
He was united in marriage on June 6, 1965 to Kay Williamson at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Waterville. They left that night for Atlanta, Georgia where Ken had been transferred three months before.
Ken worked in hotels for 50 years in Atlanta, Huntsville, Alabama, and Orlando and Tampa, Florida, moving to Orlando when Walt Disney World opened. In March, 2015, they moved to Marysville to be closer to family.
Ken was a founding member of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals and served as their president.
After retirement, Ken and Kay enjoyed traveling, mostly in their motor home. They visited all 50 states, most of Canada, Israel, Europe, Africa, and China. Ken also enjoyed antique cars and owned several, boating, gardening, crosswords, and feeding the birds. He was president of Tampa Cruis-a-Cade Club and went on many boat trips with them. He also went several times to the Easter Jeep Safari at Moab, Utah, where he enjoyed driving the jeep trails.
Survivors include his wife, Kay; brother Harlen (Kathy) Kruse, Herkimer; and sister, Arlene (Dale) Hiesterman, Washington, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Loren, Merlin, and Larry; sisters-in-law Bernice and Donna; and nephew, Danny.
Viewing will be Thursday, February 9 from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. with visitation from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m., at Christie-Anderes Funeral Home in Waterville.
The Funeral Service will be at St. Mark Lutheran Church in Waterville Friday, February 10 at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor David Thompson officiating. Kim Oatney will be the organist. Wayne Kruse will sing “In The Garden” and “Abide With Me”. Casket Bearers are: Terry Kruse, Mike Kruse, Lance Kruse, Randy Hiesterman, Justin Kruse and Roger Hiesterman. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Waterville.
Memorials are suggested to St. Mark Lutheran Church and may be sent in care of Christie-Anderes Funeral Home at PO Box 61, Waterville, Kansas 66548.