Vernita Kruse

Funeral services for Vernita Kruse will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at St. John Lutheran Church in Mineola. Burial will be in the Mineola Cemetery. Visitation at the church will be held one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 a.m. Loess Hills Funeral Home in Glenwood is caring for Vernita and her family.

Memorials: St. John Lutheran Church - Mineola

Vernita Kruse, 100, of Mineola, passed away at the UNMC Hospital in Omaha on Saturday, April 26, 2025. She was just 10 days from turning 101.

Vernita Mae Johnson born May 6, 1924, 10 th child of Elias and Anna Johnson, was baptized at the Strand Lutheran Church in Adams County Iowa. She graduated from Glenwood High School in 1942. Her working career started as a “soda jerk” at the Nimics Drug store where she also met her future husband, Norman. She then held various positions, from the telephone office In Glenwood, to the Secretary at the Stewards Office at the Glenwood State School, and then on to a position at the Glenwood State Bank.

Vernita and Norman were married on December 31,1943 at the Presbyterian Church in
Glenwood after which Vernita became a full-time homemaker. They became parents of four sons, Judd Norman, Gary Lynn, Gregg Wesley and Todd Frederick. She was a devoted wife and mother. Family was always her priority.

Vernita had an unwavering faith in the Lord and they became active members of St. John Lutheran Church where she was also confirmed in 1944. She sang in the choir until 2000, held various positions in WELCA and enjoyed many women’s conventions and retreats. Vernita was also a member of the church quilting group where she enjoyed making quilts for the homeless, Veterans, hospice of Southwest Iowa, local hospitals and many other groups.

Vernita and Norman were married for 74 years and loved being part of the card club for 60 years. She loved every family gathering with grand, great grand and great-great grandchildren.

Vernita was preceded in death by her husband Norman; her parents, Elias and Anna Johnson; her sisters, Gladys Johnson, Pearl Danielson, Elzine Jamison, LaDonna Deitchler and Lola Hasselquist; and brothers, Earl Johnson, Orville Johnson, Kenneth Johnson, and twins, Wesley and Wayne Johnson; and two grandsons Lohn Kruse and Ryan Kruse.

Vernita is survived by her sons, Judd Kruse and his wife Anne of Glenwood, Gary Kruse and his wife Lori of Glenwood, Gregg Kruse and his wife Diane of Gladstone, MO, and Todd Kruse and his wife Amy of Papillion, NE; 18 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; sister Orla Jean Jackson of Green Bay, WI; other relatives and a host of many special friends, including many at Hillcrest Mable Rose, where she resided the past couple years.