Pat A. Kruse

Pat left this life as we know it on January 12, 2021.  Per her request, she will be cremated. No services are planned at this time. Arrangements are under the direction of Mohr & Becker-Hunt Funeral Home in South Sioux City, Nebraska.

Pat was born in Grundy Center, Iowa to Harlen and Audrey (Connerley) Springer.  She graduated from Grundy Center High School and had the privilege of having teachers Miss Sue Dodd and Miss Jo Thielen who taught her that “you can go any place in a book” and “it’s fun to be intelligent”.

Pat married her high school sweetheart Roger Kruse.  In 1967 they moved to Homer, Nebraska with their two young children JoEllen and Mitchel where Roger bought the grain elevator.  When Roger sold the elevator after their children were through school and became an over the road truck driver, Pat got back to the calling that meant the most to her.  She worked in the swimming area with: the Red Cross WSI and Lifeguard training programs; the “old” YWCA on Nebraska Street; the Siouxland Y; and the South Sioux City Indoor Pool (when it opened and later until it closed).  She taught water exercise and swimming lessons.  She was very fortunate to have her LRN 2 Swim program at her home for 25 plus years.  She was blessed by the people whose lives touched hers-the girls that worked with her, the parents that trusted her with their children, her water walkers, and especially the children.

Pat leaves this family: loving husband who had patience beyond believing (Pat’s words) Roger; daughter JoEllen and Doug Wical; Grandchildren Audra Mae and Jason VandeZande and Greats Triston Mitchel, Ava Jo, Ava Lynn, Riley Ella, and Hudson Mark; Grandchildren Morgan and Tim Ritchard and Greats Clara Jo and Elle Jean; Grandchildren Angela and Miguel Torres and Greats Angel, Adrianna, Pedro, Paulina, Juan, and Galilea; Grandchildren Cody and Shalane Wical and Greats Gwen and Louise; Daughter-in-law Dana Kruse-Lenz; Grandchildren Nikki and Ryan Erlemeier and Greats Jayci Jean and Maizy Michele; Granddaughter Tasha Michele and Greats Jerzy “Cream” Raine and Paizly Michele; Grandson Dustin Mitchel Kruse; other family members and many friends and acquaintances who she hopes will remember her with love.

Those waiting for her are her parents, great grandson Kasen Scott Erelmeier, many friends and family, and most importantly, son Mitch.

Pat wants you to know how she has been blessed by the children she worked with, the adults she came to know, and the wonderful family that she was truly blessed with.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the humane society or the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Program that she worked with after retirement which taught her you need to assess your values and distinguish your wants from your needs.  

A message from Pat:

I was blessed with a comfortable life but most of all I was blessed with a family that was open to love, “I love you”, and hugs.  In the whole scheme of things, teaching children to swim and teaching adults that water exercise is the best way to go are small things but these “small things” brought me more satisfaction and blessings than anyone can ever imagine.  Thank you all for that!

Let Me Go

Written by Christine Georgina Rossetti

When I come to the end of the road,

And the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom filled room

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little – but not for long.

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that once we shared.

Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we must all take,

And each must go alone.

It’s all part of the master plan,

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

Go to the friends we know,

Laugh at all the things we used to do.

Miss me, but let me go.