Kleiboeker Family Tree - Person Sheet
Kleiboeker Family Tree - Person Sheet
NameDonald Martin Kruse 
Birth24 Aug 1919, Seymour, Jackson, Indiana, USA
Death27 Aug 2009, Foster City, CA
FatherMartin Kruse (1897-1932)
MotherEmma Sophia Regina Steinker (1898-1973)
Notes for Donald Martin Kruse
Donald Martin Kruse Aug. 24, 1919 - Aug. 27, 2009 Resident of Foster City Donald Martin Kruse, 90, of Foster City, died suddenly on Thursday, August 27, 2009 from a brain aneurysm. Don was born in Seymour, Indiana on August 24, 1919 to the parents of Emma and Martin. He was raised on his grandfather's Indiana farm as a child. His first full-time jobs were as a job pressman and a bus mechanic. Don was inducted into the Army in 1942 and became a NCO Tec 3 mechanic. During this time he served in the Battle at the Southern Philippines and received many recognitions including American Defense Service Medal, Victory Medal, plus many ribbons including American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Star, Philippines Liberation Ribbon, and Good Conduct Ribbon. He was discharged in 1946 and came to the Bay Area with his cousin to visit San Francisco. Don saw an ad in the newspaper that United Airlines was looking for mechanics. On a whim he got an interview and was hired on the spot. He worked for United for 38 years. Don joined Redeemer Lutheran Church shortly after arriving in California and was a member for more than 60 years serving as an usher for more than 40 years, and several years as Business Manager. In 1963 he married Joan Arlene Clout. They met at a YMCA dance and enjoyed ballroom dancing and vacations in Hawaii with their children. Don delighted in taking the children on vacations to countries of their choice including Micronesia, Fiji Islands, and Italy. After retirement, Don, started his own DJ music business called Stereo Music For Dancing. For the next 20 years Don entertained senior groups with his ballroom dance music. A Memorial Service will be held at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 468 Grand Avenue, Redwood City, California. At 7:00 pm on Wednesday, September 2 with a reception afterwards. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to Don's beloved church, Redeemer Lutheran Church, in memory of Don Kruse. Survivors include his wife, Joan and his three children, daughter Debbie Murray of Moss Beach and husband Neil, son Don Kruse of Beaverton, Oregon and his wife Carli, and daughter Nancy Kruse of Burbank; plus three grandchildren, Michael Hess and wife Lydia, Tamara Hess, and Derek Kruse, and five great-grandchildren.
Published in Inside Bay Area on Sept. 2, 2009
Published in Inside Bay Area on Sept. 2, 2009