Brian Kruse

BRIAN WILLIAM KRUSE

Lisbon

Brian William Kruse, 58, of Lisbon, peacefully passed on to Heaven's campground at home with his family surrounding him. His sunset occurred on Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016. Funeral services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Lisbon United Methodist Church, by Pastor Tom Mattson. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Burial: Union-Clear Creek Cemetery, rural Lisbon.

Survivors include his wife, Bobbi Ann; three children and their spouses, Brianna Michelle and Shane Sizer of Bozeman, Mont., Kassidy Alger and Ashley Kruse of Lisbon and Monikka Ann and Ryan Fuller of Clinton, Ill.; seven grandchildren, Erasmus, Huxley, Brigetta and Heloise Sizer, Elliette Kruse and Brynnley and Colton Fuller; his brother, Leoral and Kathi Kruse; his sister, Sharon Timm; and his in-law family, Brian and Lisa Alger, Barry Alger and Cindy Van Orsdale, Betsy Alger and Bruce and Gerry Alger. Brian was blessed with the love of a large extended family, an amazing church family and many wonderful friends.

Brian's sunrise was Oct. 10, 1957, in Cedar Rapids, the son of William and Ruth (McQuown) Kruse. He graduated in 1975 from Lisbon High School and in 1976 from Kirkwood Community College, where he earned a degree in electrical equipment servicing. Brian was a master electrician and at the age of 19, the youngest person in Linn County to pass the electrical contractor exam.

Brian owned and operated Kruse Electric & Plumbing since 1979. He had many customers and colleagues who became friends. Brian also worked at Mercy Medical Center and at Johnson Controls, both in Cedar Rapids.

On April 24, 1976, Brian married his high school sweetheart, Bobbi Alger, in Lisbon. Together they worked hard – but always took time to play hard. In 1992, they purchased virgin timber in Cedar County and built the family home and two shops. Their acreage is named "Cedar Ridge Resort." Their love for the outdoors, fishing, hiking, canoeing, kayaking and camping was shared with many cherished friends.

Brian was a 2003 charter member and served as adjutant with Sons of the American Legion Cyclops Post 109 until 2015. He was a lifelong member of Lisbon United Methodist Church. Brian served alongside his wife on pediatric medical mission trips to Jamaica for the ISSA Trust Foundation for several years. He painted fluoride on thousands of children's teeth and also served to weigh and measure many children for the clinics.

Brian was filled with the spirit of volunteering and offering his time to honor veterans, especially at Memorial Day events and veterans' funerals.

He was a proud member of the NRA. "Integrity" is the best word to describe Brian.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Ruth Kruse.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Lisbon United Methodist Church or Iowa City Hospice.

Please share your support and memories with Brian's family on his tribute wall at www.stewartbaxter.com under obituaries.