Frederick `Fred` Kruse Jr.
Frederick `Fred` Kruse Jr. , Age 88
Frederick "Fred" Kruse Jr., age 88, passed away peacefully in Baraboo on Friday, September 29, 2023 of congestive heart failure.
Fred was born February 6, 1935 as Frederick Charles Kruse Jr. in Chicago, Illinois; the son of Frederick C. Kruse Sr. and Annabelle Vercruysse Kruse.
Fred graduated from Baraboo Senior High School in the top 10 of his class of 1953, and met the love of his life, Kathryn Karll, while a Freshman helping to tutor her in math. They were married at St. John's Lutheran Church in 1955. Fred went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Electrical Engineering, was in ROTC, and a member of the Wisconsin Badgers Football Team. While in the Army in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, he worked for the Signal Research and Development Lab as a Lab Engineer. He took an early Honorary Military Discharge, as a 1st Lieutenant, and moved back to Baraboo to care for his dying father. Fred took over the family business at Kruse Motor Sales-Oldsmobile at only 24 years old. Oldsmobile had doubts he could handle the dealership at such a young age but Fred managed it successfully for over 63 years.
Fred's main passion was downhill skiing with yearly trips to Colorado, Utah, and Montana. He was a member of the National Ski Patrol at Devil's Head Resort for over 50 years. He also enjoyed water skiing and sailing at Devil's Lake, Green Bay Packer and Badger football, and Badger Women's Volleyball. He was a weather and science enthusiast pondering the mysteries of the Universe to the formation of tornadoes. As an avid athlete he played basketball, volleyball, softball, flag football, and tennis. He served on the Baraboo School Board and was a Jaycee for many years. He was devoted to his Church, his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, his business community, his dear family, and will be surely missed by all.
Survivors include four children; Fritz, Karll (Terry), David, and Kim (Brett) Sprecher; two grandchildren; Kristopher and Katelyn Kruse; nephew John Dibble, niece Kristin Webster, great nieces Anna Kate Mitchell and Grace Webster, and great nephew Tommy Webster.
Fred was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Kathryn, his brother Robert, and his sister Phyllis Dibble.
We want to thank the kind staff at Meadow Ridge Assisted Living, St. Clare Hospital, and SSM Hospice care in Baraboo; the Sauk County ADRC, and St. Mary's Hospital in Madison. Also much gratitude to Victoria Ast and June Sturgis for their kind and compassionate care for Fred.
A visitation will be held from 10am to 11am on Saturday, October 14, 2023, with the Funeral service to follow, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 624 East Street, Baraboo, WI. The Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Fred's memory to PBS Wisconsin, and the Sauk County Humane Society.
Condolences
Michael Schultz October 05, 2023
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Sorry for your loss
Joy Newlon October 05, 2023
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Fred was a kind friend to our family and a wonderful mentor to my son. I will miss his smile and presence at Kruse Motor Sales. Thinking of his family at this time. My heart is hurting.
Annette Grossenbacher October 05, 2023
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
My deepest sympathy. I will miss this kind man very much.
Amy Bible October 05, 2023
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
My heart goes out to the entire Kruse family. We worked together on many non-profit fundraising projects, and he was always willing to help. One of the nicest men I've ever met and have been so honored to call him my friend.
Teri Raffel Kleist October 05, 2023
Friend Cottage Grove , Wisconsin
Kim, Brett and the Kruse family- I am so sorry for your loss. Your Dad is reunited with his love and will be your guardian angel now. He was so loved by his family and was very blessed to have you there to care for him at the end of his earthly life.
Joy October 05, 2023
Fellow Ski Patroller at Devils Head Cottage Grove , Wisconsin
Fred was a wonderful patroller and Crew Chief at Devils Head Ski Resort. He was very welcoming and friendly. If memory serves me right, he was still skiing three seasons ago. He visited his old shift buddies last year but did not ski. His caring presence and cheerful smile will be missed. He loved fresh powder snow and would make hast to drive to DH to experience it. His generation was full of volunteers and people who served for the greater good. We need more people like Fred in this world.
Jacque October 06, 2023
Friend Cañon City , Colorado
Kim and Brett and family. My condolences to you all. I loved Fred…he was kind and funny and generous. My heart is sad.
Bruce Bildsten October 06, 2023
Friend Minneapolis , Minnesota
Fred was just a great man who raised a wonderful family with his love Kay. I was fortunate to grow up around all of them. I’ll always think of Fred on the ski slopes he loved, skiing so gracefully but never with poles! A life well lived.
Dennis and Penny Quandt October 06, 2023
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all .I
Patti Riesch October 06, 2023
Friend Colorado Springs , Colorado
I am So sorry Fritz and family for the loss of your dear dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family ðŸ™â¤
Pam October 07, 2023
Friend BARABOO , Wisconsin
Our condolences to the family. Fred was a good friend and great person. We will miss him very much.
Roberta Zimmerman October 07, 2023
Friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
So Sorry for your loss!!
Jolande October 07, 2023
Friend Scotts Valley , California
So glad my brother Mark & I got to see Fred before the Baraboo homecoming parade on Sept 15. I told him how Earthing.com sleep ing mats helped me & might help him. He’s in a good place now, but he will be missed here
Deborah L Baxter October 06, 2023
friend Baraboo , Wisconsin
so very sorry for your loss!!!. never saw your dad without a smile on his face.thought he would live to be 100 easily- he had such a zest for life! thinking of you.
Jolande October 06, 2023
Friend Scotts Valley , California
So glad my brother Mark & I got to see Fred before the Baraboo homecoming parade on Sept 15. I told him how Earthing.com sleep ing mats helped me & might help him. He’s in a good place now, but he will be missed here
Chryste Madsen October 08, 2023
Friend Milton
I had the great privilege of knowing Fred while employed by the Wisconsin Auto & Truck Dealers Association. Fred always cared deeply about doing business the right way. I will always remember Fred’s kindness, caring and professionalism. My sincere condolences to his wonderful family.
Thomas S Belter October 09, 2023
Family friend OSHKOSH , Wisconsin
Condolences to the Kruse family. So Sad to read that Fred has passed. Fred was an early hero of ours at St Johns Lutheran. An athletic cool guy with a great family. He will be missed. Godspeed.
Janelle Gomon Owens October 09, 2023
friend Madison , Wisconsin
Condolences to Fred's family. Fred truly was one of the kindest men I have ever met. May he RIP.
Ed Geick October 10, 2023
Friend Baraboo, WI , Wisconsin
I'm sorry to hear about Fred's passing. We enjoyed a good working relationship when I worked for the City. Fred contributed much to the workings of the BID board and the improvement of downtown. His knowledge and history of the City were very valuable. He'll be missed.
Thomas Luck October 12, 2023
Friend Merrimac , Wisconsin
Sorry for your loss - will miss you sailing Devils Lake
Mike & Kathy Hengel October 13, 2023
Friends from DHSP Merrimac , Wisconsin
We loved Fred and his passion for life(especially his skiing life!). We drove home together once from Colorado and had a very memorable time. He is missed and will be missed for a long time. God bless you all as you grieve.
Cc. Sheldon October 20, 2023
Friend Arena , Wisconsin
Flying down a hill laughing as e suited up I will fondly remember days skiing with Fred and Kim. I am so sorry this world lost Fred but so glad it knew his joy