Luisa Kruse

Luisa Cecilia Kruse, age 82, of Rochester, MN passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Birchwood Cottages in Owatonna, MN after a battle with Alzheimer's disease. Luisa was born in Huanuco, Peru on November 18, 1942 to Andres and Justa (Condezo) Merlin. She immigrated to the United States at the age of 16. She was united in marriage to Jerry Kruse on May 18, 1968, and they were together for 54 years until his death. The couple had three children, Andrew, James, and Melissa. She was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester. Luisa provided in-home daycare and love for innumerable families here in Rochester. She enjoyed gardening and plants, and being outdoors whenever she could. Whether it was children or plants, she loved helping things grow. One of her proudest accomplishments was when she officially became a U.S. citizen on August 13, 2003. She was the kindest, gentlest person you could ever meet, and never stopped caring for and loving the people in her life.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Andres and Justa; her husband Jerry Kruse in 2023; and two sisters and one brother.

She is survived by her three children, Andrew (Marinda Carey) Kruse, James (Kimberly) Kruse, and Melissa Kruse; two grandsons, Gavin and Jordan; and two brothers, two sisters, and countless nieces, nephews, and extended family in Lima, Peru.

The Kruse family would like to extend their extreme gratitude to the staff at Birchwood Cottages for the compassionate love and care they were able to provide Luisa for the past year.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 24th, 2025 at 11:00 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church (810 3rd Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904) with visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Burial will take place at Grandview Memorial Gardens in Rochester, MN following the service.

Memorials are requested to the Alzheimer's Association

Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Kruse family; to share a special memory or condolence please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com