Hazel May R. Kruse

Hazel R. Kruse

A Rosary for Hazel R. Kruse was held Monday, Feb. 26, 1996, at St. Leo's Catholic Church. Funeral Liturgy was held on Tuesday. Father Pat Shea officiated. The Rite of Committal was performed at the Lusk Memorial Cemetery.

Mrs. Kruse passed away Feb. 22, 1996, at the family ranch.

Hazel May Rowse was born Jan. 9, 1916, in Wheatland, Wyo. She was the eldest of five children born to Reuben James and Hazel May (Foltz) Rowse. She and her family moved to Riverton where she attended school, graduating from Riverton High School in 1934.

After graduation, Hazel joined her sister, Ann, in Baltimore, MD, and accepted a position as Assistant Dietitian at the John Hopkins University where she remained until returning to Wyoming so she could care for her ill mother.

Hazel worked for the U. S. Department of Agriculture's Conservation Service and later the U.S. Selective Service's Draft Board. While in Riverton, she met A.D. Kruse and they were married Nov. 25, 1946. They moved to Dubois where their daughter was born in 1948. Following the birth of Katherine Ann, Hazel and A.D. returned to northern Niobrara County where they have continued to make their home until her death.

Foremost Hazel was a caring and loving wife, mother and friend. She was also very active in both community and church affairs. A 49-year member of the Extension Homemakers, Hazel first joined the Top of the World Club in Fremont County and later was a member of the Sagebrush Pals and Gumbo Hustlers Clubs in Niobrara County. She held a number of local and county offices before being elected to serve as S.E. Regional Director, State Council Vice President and, finally, Wyoming State Council President. In 1981, she was selected for the organization's highest award, the Susan J. Quealy Award. She was selected by her peers to serve as two terms each of that prestigious group's president and vice president.

In addition she had a 38-year affiliation with 4-H as a Board Member of the Wyoming 4-H Foundation, the Wyoming State 4-H Council, including serving as its Vice President, Niobrara County Key Leadership Council and as a local project leader for 16 years.

Mrs. Kruse was instrumental in the creation of the Kruse Award, which was annually presented to recognize the top 4-H beef project record book. Hazel and her family were also selected for 4-H's Meritorious Service Award in 1977.

Hazel was a 15 year Niobrara County Republican Party Vice Chairman and as a long term precinct committeewoman she was looking forward to this year's presidential elections.

A member of St. Leo's parish, Mrs. Kruse was very active as a catechism teacher, member and officer of both the Lusk Council of Catholic Women, Church Women United and various regional deanery organizations.

Among Hazel's other affiliations were Lusk Woman's Club, Wyoming State Federation of Women's Clubs, and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Mrs. Kruse is survived by her husband, A. D. Flores; her daughter, Mrs. David (Katherine) Morgan of Casper, and two sons, James William of Lance Creek and Paul Richard of Cheyenne. Her five grandchildren are Patrick, Dana and Brian Morgan and James and Joseph Kruse.

Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; sister Ann and brothers Bernard, John and Reuben.

In lieu of memorials to Hazel, her family has asked that contributions be made in a way that honors the contributors own family. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Bader Funeral Home.

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