Willard Kruschke

Willard Kruschke, age 80 of Belle Plaine, passed away on May 10, 2020 at All Saints Senior Living, Specialty Care Unit in Shakopee.  Because of the Covid-19 pandemic and following cremation, a graveside and interment service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Belle Plaine.  Rev. Martin Bentz of Trinity Lutheran will officiate.

Willard Manley Kruschke was born on May 26, 1939, the 9th child of Gustav and Sarah (Oldenberg) Kruschke in Derrynane township, Le Sueur County.  He was baptized and confirmed at Redeemer Lutheran Church in the German Settlement near Henderson.  Willard attended country school and graduated from Belle Plaine High School.  Willard married Doris Zellmann in November of 1962 and joined the U.S. Army Reserve during the Vietnam War.  He was honorably discharged as a sergeant after 6 years of service.  Willard worked for Busse Construction for 39 years, retiring in 2002.  His health declined in 2019 and he moved to the dementia care unit at All Saints.

Willard is survived by his wife of 57 years, Doris,

4 children, Kari (Jay) Lewis of Cottage Grove,

Julie (Mark) Hesse of Cologne,

Amy Kruschke of Norwood - Young America,

James Kruschke of Shakopee,

6 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild,

Sister, Luella (Ollie) Heitkamp of Belle Plaine,

Brother, Loren Kruschke of Belle Plaine,

Sister in law, Marion Kruschke of Princeton,

Many nieces & nephews.

Willard is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Henry, Harold, Donald and Gordon Kruschke, sisters: Helen Hardel and Myrtle Kruschke, half sister: Deliliah Paulson, also 5 stillborn great grandchildren.

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