Geraldine “Gerry” Kruske of Waupaca, age 87, passed away on Friday, March 30, 2018.
She was born in Royalton on November 2, 1930 to the late Paul and Verla (Guenther) Tessen. On October 14, 1950 she married Richard Kruske; he preceded her in death on February 24, 2018. Gerry had a special smile and outgoing personality. She showed kindness and joy to everyone she met. She especially loved her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gerry was an active member of St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. She sang in the choir there as well as at St. Pius Catholic Church in Appleton while she was a member there. She enjoyed being part of a china painting group. She also enjoyed traveling with her husband and friends, going for walks, reading and meeting friends and family for lunch. Gerry worked at Zwicker’s Knitting Mill in Appleton, the lunch programs at St. Pius and Xavier, and then as a cashier at Kresge’s Dime Store.
She will be sadly missed by her children: Daniel (Anne) of Waupaca; daughter, Susan (John) Petit of Appleton; grandchildren: Melissa (Greg) Millar, Joshua Petit (Bryce Woyak) and Sarah (Stephen) Klein; and seven great-grandchildren: Liam and Walter Millar, Emmett, Grant, Derek, Addison and Lydia Klein; brother, Paul Tessen; sister, Shirley Strehlow, other relatives and friends. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Tessen.
The Funeral Mass will be on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, N2845 Shadow Road, Waupaca. The visitation will be on Thursday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of Mass. Burial will be in Highland Memorial Park in Appleton. The Maple Crest Funeral Home of Waupaca is assisting the family with arrangements.
Gerry’s family would like to extend a grateful thank you to the staff of Park Vista assisted living in Waupaca, Dr. Weiss and the staff at Thedacare Cancer Center, the staff at Rennes Nursing home; especially to nurse Karen on mom’s last evening and to the Thedacare Hospice Staff.