Karen Marie Kruse
October 30, 1951 ~ May 17, 2026
Born in: Wichita, Kansas
Resided in: Wichita, Kansas
Karen Marie Kruse, 74, passed away from pancreatic cancer on May 17, 2026, at home, surrounded by her loving family. Karen was born on October 30, 1951, in Wichita, KS. She is the second child of Wilbur and Mary T. Kruse. Karen, who was blind from birth, enjoyed a full life with her seven siblings, their families, and numerous friends. She enjoyed big family gatherings, happy hours, and babysitting her nieces and nephews. Karen was the family historian. She knew the date of every birthday, anniversary, graduation, and other special occasion in the family.
Karen was always up for whatever activity came her way. She enjoyed church events, swimming, dancing, singing, traveling, riding backseat on the family double bike, and, occasionally, driving a golf cart. Karen was a joy to be with and was a great conversationalist. Karen had the gift of gab and thoroughly enjoyed socializing with anyone and everyone.
Karen graduated from Wichita State University in December 1994 with a Liberal Arts Bachelor in General Studies degree. For years she volunteered at St. Francis Regional Center being with patients who needed to talk with a caring and calming presence.
After the death of her parents, Karen was proud of her independence and continued living in the family home. She discovered the delights of backed up sewers and the occasional power outage. She would joyfully say she was just learning what it meant to be a home owner. Living alone brought new people into her life. Some of her most treasured friends were women from church who took her to mass, adoration, shopping, or out to eat. The Meals on Wheels volunteers were a blessing to her and she enjoyed her daily chats with them.
Karen was always happy, always had a smile on her face and, loved nothing more than being surrounded by family and friends. She always wanted to “help”, whether it was to bring in your bags, get you something to eat and drink, or to find an item for you in the kitchen. She loved being outdoors, swinging on her porch swing, and listening to the birds and squirrels. The neighborhood noises would pique her curiosity and she would try to find out what was happening. She was kind and loving and got great joy spending time and playing with her nieces and nephews. She loved the babies! She was such a wonderful gift to her family, a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. She will be greatly missed. We are thankful God gave us the blessing of her and we know that she is now “Home”.
Karen is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbur F. and Mary T. Armstrong Kruse and her sister, Joan Kruse Holthaus. Karen is survived by her brothers and their wives, William and Glenda Kruse (Wichita), Peter and Janet Kruse (Carlsbad, CA), Thomas and Leigh Kruse (Wichita), three sisters and their husbands, Kathy and Rick Tramp (Topeka), Teresa and Brad White (Andover), and Ann and Terry Ecklund (Overland Park), as well as her brother-in-law Bill Holthaus (Topeka). Karen had 25 nieces and nephews, and 26 great nieces and nephews.
Services for Karen will be on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2007 N. Arkansas Ave., Wichita, KS. 10:00 am Rosary. 10:30 am Catholic Mass of Christian Burial.
Memorials have been established with St. Patrick Catholic Church, 2007 N. Arkansas Ave., Wichita, KS 67203 and Meals on Wheels, c/o Senior Services of Wichita, 200 S. Walnut St., Wichita, KS 67213. https://seniorservicesofwichita.org/make-a-donation/
Services in care of Downing & Lahey West Mortuary.
Services
Rosary: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:00 am
St. Patrick Catholic Church
2007 N. Arkansas Ave.
Wichita, KS 67203
Funeral Mass: Tuesday, June 2, 2026 10:30 am
St. Patrick Catholic Church
2007 N. Arkansas Ave.
Wichita, KS 67203
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Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Karen Marie Kruse 's name.
Meals On Wheels c/o Senior Services of Wichita
200 S. Walnut Street
Wichita,
KS
67213
St. Patrick Catholic Church
2007 N. Arkansas Ave.
Wichita,
KS
67203
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Sympathy and Love for all the Kruse Families. Had always wished I lived closer to Karen to visit and do things for Karen. We could have” giggled together” !! Karen and I did the readings for Bill ( my brother) and Joan’s wedding Mass. Peace to all of you, I loved her also!! Betty and Mike Haug in Seneca, Kansas