Marvin William Kruse

Marvin William Kruse was peacefully called home to the Lord on June 19, 2026 at the age of 96. He was born March 14, 1930 to Paul and Alma (Meyer) Kruse of Loganville, Wisconsin. 

He was many things throughout his life. First and foremost, Marvin was a devout Christian and man of faith. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Loganville. He enjoyed attending church, listening to VCY radio, and sharing the word of the Lord.

Marvin attended Friendship School in rural Loganville, then Reedsburg High School where he met his future bride. After graduating High School in 1948 he attended the UW Ag Short Course in Madison. 

In November 1951, Marvin was drafted by the U.S. army and served in communications overseas for two years during the Korean War. He was a member of Hillpoint VFW Post 3434. In 2017, he participated in a Badger Honor Flight to visit Washington DC.

Marvin married Ruth Astle on June 5, 1954 at his church in Loganville. Together, they had seven children.

Most of Marvin’s career was spent farming. That job brought out his natural ingenuity for engineering, building, planning, and making things work. Those traits put him ahead of his time, incorporating practices like no-till planting, solar energy, organic farming and regenerative agriculture. He ran the farming operation on Grote Hill Road 40+ years. After stepping back from the farm, he worked in construction for and with Rick Kock turning old farm building into something new, and was a driver for the local Amish community.

Marvin was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Alma (Meyer) Kruse; father-in-law, George Astle, mother-in-law, Marian (Reeve) Patterson, an infant daughter, Nancy Kruse; son-in-law, David Sharp; and infant great-granddaughter, Aria Corton.

Marvin is survived by his wife, Ruth and children Mary Corton, Ron (Jeanette) Kruse, Ken (JoAnne) Kruse, Allen Kruse (Linda Gutzmann-Schlieckau), Duane Kruse (Cathy Tholen), and Betty Sharp. He is survived by grandchildren: Lance (Valerie) Corton, Eric (Nicky) Corton, Amanda (Franco) Okello, Luke (Meagan) Corton, Victoria (Devon) Corton, Jessica (Stephen) Shen, Ryan (Jacky) Kruse, Mallory Kruse (Cody Chase), Jillian (JR) Rupinski, Marsha Kruse, Paul (Elyse) Kruse, Matthew Kruse, Justin (Theresa) Holman & family, Jerry Holman & family, Jacob (Jody) Holman & family, Summer Schlieckau, Jolene (Derek) Westholm. He is survived by great-grandchildren: Makayla (Daniel), Dominic (Lilyanna), Kiana, Kalena, Jasmine, Rylie, Izzy, Bella, Oscar, Margaret, Olivia, Aubrey, Hallyn, Crew, Vivian, Lorelei, Ellery, Gracie, Jaelynn, Sophia, Miles, Audri, Tess, Daisy, Lily, Ella, Lawrence, Sayje (Tony), Jozef (Hannah), Aurora, Toby, Andy, Cecilia, Lali, LiliBeth, Ava, Novalynn, Eleanore, and Rowan. He is survived by great-great-grandchildren: Lex, Lilly, Kaylee, Mariana, and Emilio.

Visitation for Marvin will be held Friday, June 26, 2026 from 4-7 p.m. at Farber Funeral Home in Reedsburg. On Saturday, June 27, there will be a visitation from 10-11 a.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Loganville with a funeral service at 11 a.m. followed by committal in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to:  St. Peters Church Loganville, Hillpoint VFW 3434, Reedsburg Area Senior Life Center or Friendship School in Loganville.

 

(Pslam 31: 23-24) O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.