Byron John Kruse

Byron Kruse, 90, of Sioux City, IA, formerly of Ponca, NE died Saturday, March 29, 2014 in Sioux City.Funeral services will be at 10:30 A.M. on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, NE with Rev. Dr. Bud Christenson officiating. Burial will be in the Ponca Cemetery in Ponca. Visitation with the family present will be held from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Monday, March 31, 2014 at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr Funeral Home in Ponca. Online condolences to the family may be posted at www.mohrfuneralhome.com.Byron John Kruse was born January 10, 1924 on a farm near Bennington, NE to John and Margaretha (Harder) Kruse. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John's Lutheran Church in Bennington. He attended country school through the 8th grade and graduated from Elkhorn High School in 1942. Byron's first love was farming, but an injury at age 15 crippled him with osteomyelitis, denying him that option. He spent many months recovering and was plagued with joint problems and arthritis ever since. He suffered through dozens of joint surgeries; ankles, wrists, knees, hips, shoulders, and many trips to Mayo Clinic. He seldom complained. Byron attended business school in Omaha for a year, and then worked at Omaha Steel and the Nebraska Inspection Bureau until 1946, when he went to work at the Gamble Store in Ponca. In 1947 he and his brother, Herb, purchased the store, which they operated until 1950, when Byron took full ownership. He and his beloved wife, Lorrie, operated that Ma and Pa store for 43 years, enjoying their customers like family. Byron and Dolores Dunn were married November 13, 1949 at Salem Lutheran Church in Ponca, raised two daughters, and celebrated 50 years together. Lorrie passed away April 29, 2000.Byron is, or has been, a member of Salem Lutheran Church, Salem church council, Ponca School Board, Ponca Commercial Club, Better Ponca Foundation, Highland Oaks Golf Club, Ponca Educational Foundation, Masonic Lodge, Sioux City Scottish Rite, and Abu Bekr Shrine. He was known for maintaining an excellent lawn and landscape, and was generally a perfectionist at whatever he took an interest in. Byron was a lifetime Husker fan, through good times and bad.He is survived by his daughters, Kathie (Bruce) Boock and Roxanne (Sheldon) Hamann, all of Anthon, IA; four grandchildren, David (Stephanie) Dorale, Courtney Jackson, Lindsay Theeler, and Kiel (Sarah) Hamann; six great-grandchildren, Isiah, Madison, Benton, Ellyson, Kinzie, and Claire; as well as several nieces and nephews.Byron was preceded in death by his wife, Lorrie; 2 brothers, Arnold and Irwin "Herb"; and one sister, Anita.