Leland Kenneth Kruse

Leland Kenneth Kruse, 88, peacefully passed away surrounded by his family at his home on Sunday, May 6, 2018 in Taylor, Texas.  He was born in Coupland, Texas on September 25, 1929 to Erna Christine Etzel Kruse and Gustav Wenzel Kruse.

Leland was baptized on March 16, 1930 and confirmed on April 18, 1943 in St. Peter’s Church in Coupland.  While in Coupland, Leland worked for Mercantile Store and Speckels Grocery. He attended Coupland School and later transferred to Thrall School when the family moved to the New Bern area in 1946.  He graduated from Thrall on May 26, 1948.  After graduation, he joined his brother Wilburn in painting signs for Gulf Oil in East Texas.  From 1951-1953 he served with the US Army in the Korean War.  After returning home from the service, Leland started working for Texas Power & Light in Taylor and later for Industrial Generating Company in Rockdale.  When he was laid off from IGC, he enrolled in Barber School in Austin.  Barber School was just not his calling so when IGC made him an offer to come back to work he returned.  After being laid off a second time he decided to move forward with plans to do the job he felt like he was called to do.  In April 1958, Leland opened his own electrical business, Leland Kruse Electric Service, with his wife as the bookkeeper.  He first started the business out of the garage of his house and later on built another house on Edmond St. to store his materials and work trucks.  In the early 1990’s, he then expanded the business to include a store front on Main Street.  Needing a larger building and somewhere to store work trucks all in the same location, he purchased the Lone Star Beer Distributor’s building on 2 ^nd Street.  In 2010, at the age of 80, Leland and Gladiola retired and sold the business to Kelly and Penny, their son and daughter-in-law, who continue to own and operate Kruse Electric.  Two dedicated brothers, Douglas and Michael Urbanek, began working for Leland in the late 60’s/early 70’s and remain working for Kruse Electric.

When Leland’s parents moved to the New Bern area they joined Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.  On October 31, 1954 he married the love of his life Gladiola Louise Martin at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor.  Leland transferred and continued to be a member of St. Paul’s where he served on many committees including the Vestry, Lutheran Brotherhood, and was official record keeper for the Adult Bible class.  He was also a member of the Taylor Volunteer Fire Department for several years along with the American Legion and Sons of Hermann.

He loved and enjoyed visiting with family and friends while drinking a beer or two.   On the weekends and after hours, Leland would tend cattle at their farm where he also could be found plowing and working on other chores.  For many years Leland and Gladiola along with their children maintained a large garden.  They also enjoyed traveling, going dancing and playing “42” dominos with their supper club.  He enjoyed watching the Lawrence Welk Show and was dedicated to listening to the Michael Craig’s Polka Music on Sunday afternoons.

Leland was preceded in death by his parents, his sister and her husband LaVerne (Ervin) Steger, his brothers and their wives Delwood (Florence) Kruse, Weldon (Martha) Kruse, Wilburn (Bernice) Kruse, and his brothers-in-law John Simank and Curtis (Jeanette) Martin.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, his children Sheila (Mel) Bullock, Kelly (Penny) Kruse, and Rhonda (Ray) Ochoa; his grandchildren Amanda (Shelby) Elson, Colbey (Jennifer) Bullock, Sydnee (Levi) Best, Sean Bullock, Alysha Kruse, Jewel Kruse (fiancée Will Hale), Kenneth Kruse, Elizabeth Ochoa (fiancée Wyatt Payne), and Alec Ochoa; and his great grandchildren Caleb Elson, Alyssa Elson and Landyn Bullock. He is also survived by his sister Loretta Simank and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be his grandsons Alec, Colbey, Kenneth, Levi, Sean, Shelby, Will and Wyatt.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 9, 2018 from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. at Providence Funeral Home. Celebration of Life Service will be Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor with burial to follow at Taylor City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church-Radio Fund, 401 West Seventh Street, Taylor, Texas 76574.

The family would like to thank Pastor Qualley and Pastor Miller for their visits and prayers, and the staff at Baylor Scott and White Clinic and Hospital in Taylor, the Texas Home Health and Texas Home Health Hospice for their care and support.