Irvin Charles Kruse, at 98, of Mitchell, SD died February 13, 2016 at Avera Queen of Peace Hospital in Mitchell. Funeral Services will be 10:30 AM Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at New Home Lutheran Church in Mitchell. Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday, February 15, 2016 at Will Funeral Chapel, with a 7:00 PM prayer service. Burial will be at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls.

Irvin Charles Kruse was born on the family homestead, 17 miles North of Draper, SD, to Henry and Frieda (Pruess) Kruse on September 27, 1917. He attended country schools in rural Draper. He worked as a Ranch Hand/Cowboy for area farmers. He married Phyllis Menzie on November 12, 1938 in Presho, SD. Irvin was employed at a gas station in Wasta. He was a Ranch Hand South of Highmore and later bought a farm 13 miles North of Highmore. In September 1947, there was a prairie fire that destroyed everything on the farm except the barn. He later was employed as a Heavy Equipment Operator for a construction company. In 1953, he moved to Sioux Falls where he was in construction for a time. He worked for Sioux Welding, later Dakota Welding, and then A-OX Welding. Early 1970's, he moved to Mitchell, and was employed at Dakota Welding where he drove route truck and was later in management. He was the Operations Manager of A-Ox. After 50 years of service, he retired and mowed for City of Mitchell and worked Super Wash in Mitchell.

He was a member of the Moose Lodge and New Home Lutheran Church.

Irvin enjoyed crossword puzzles, reading and reciting poems, and in his younger years he enjoyed hunting, going to rodeos, going to the sale barn, and raising cows.

Irvin is survived by his daughter Ginger (George) Williams of Sioux Falls, SD; two grandchildren, Randy (Linda) Williams, Sioux Falls, SD, and Jeff (LeeAnne) Williams, Mitchell, SD; seven great grandchildren, SPC Cordell Williams, Ft. Lewis, WA, Menzie Williams, Sioux Falls, SD, Selena Williams, Sioux Falls, SD, Phyllis Williams, Sioux Falls, SD, Halee Williams, Sioux Falls, SD, Zachary (Patrecia) Williams, Sioux Falls, SD, Brianna (Josh) Allington, Lincoln, NE; and 3 great-great grandchildren William, Harrison, and Leonardo Allington, Lincoln, NE.

He is preceded in death by his wife Phyllis Marjorie Menzie Kruse on July 23, 1983; his parents; two brothers, Clarence and Victor Kruse; and sister Delphine Kruse.