In Lieu of flowers, Don's family requests memorials be made to the Bethany Lutheran Church in Laurens, Iowa in Don's name.

Don D. Kruse – age 87, of Laurens, passed on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at the Mary-Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa.

Donald Dean Kruse was born on May 10, 1935, in Palmer, Iowa. He was the son of Albert and Emma (Siebels) Kruse. He was educated in Palmer schools, graduating from Palmer High School in 1953. During his school years Don worked for his Dad in his grocery store. After high school, Don began working for a local construction contractor in Palmer. As the weather changed and was getting colder, this was not the job for Don. He applied at Fareway but unfortunately was not hired. So back to the construction he went. Low and behold he received a call from Fareway the following day and was offered a position as a meat cutter. Don began his new career at Fareway in Fort Dodge, this is where he met and fell in love with Shirley. On July 5, 1959, Don was united in marriage to Shirley Bass at the St. Paul Lutheran Church in Palmer. Don and Shirley moved to Laurens in March of 1960. On April 1, 1960, they opened Don's Clover Farm in town. Over the years, the store was relocated and then with the expansion it became Don's Foodland. Don's love for the grocery business was like no other. He loved being there for the town and able to provide that service. After 25 years, on April 1, 1985. Don retired from the grocery business at the age of 49.

After retirement, Don got to spend his time outside, which was another love of his. From mowing his yard to be perfect, planting flowers in the flowerbed and planting the garden, this was his way of enjoyment. Don loved the sport of golf, so what better to do in retirement then become the greens keeper at the Laurens Country Club. His goal was to make sure that they were in perfect shape for everyone who enjoyed the game.

Don was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church and the Laurens Chamber of Commerce. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, trap shooting, hunting and Iowa Hawkeye sports.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley of Laurens, son, Randy (Jacky) Kruse of Polk City; daughter, Debra (Ben) Riedel of Mitchellville; brothers, Duane (Anita) Kruse of Henderson, NV and Dennis (Arlene) Kruse of Palmer; 6 grandchildren, Mike (Christine) Riedel, Jason (Carey) Riedel, Ashley (Ryan) Penning, Jeff (Kendra) Kruse, Lindsey (Brad) Rubino and Amber (Mitch) Jahns; 11 great-grandchildren, Chelsea Paul, Sherrie Bowden, Preston Riedel, Emmett Penning, Monroe Penning, Brighton Kruse, Lawson Penning, Giavanna Rubino, Robert Jahns, Lilianna Rubino and Sawyer Kruse; and many nieces and nephews. Don was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Daryl Kruse.