David Otto Kruse was born July 8, 1938, in Fremont, Nebraska to Otto Hansen Kruse and Mildred Elizabeth Langhorst Kruse. He had 3 brothers: Richard, Marvin, and Gordon; and one sister, Beverly. He was the tallest of the kids at 6’-6”.
On October 25, 1957, he married his wife Arlene Grace Godwin. They had 6 children: Brenda Kruse, Michael Kruse (m. Christina), Sharon Abbott (m. Brian), Stephen Kruse (m. Chong Sun), Yvonna Chandler (m. John), and Zandra King. He proved to be a loving, caring father. In March of 2018, Brenda died of esophagus cancer. It devastated Dave. David is survived by his wife Arlene Godwin Kruse, his brother, Gordon Kruse (m. Susan), 5 of 6 children (spouses), and grandchildren, Eli Kruse, Sandro Monteleone (m. Yuli), Lisa Monteleone, Hannah Dewar (m. Mark), Corrie Dimas (m. Ivan) , Chin Ho Yi (m. Grace), Son Hui Yang (m. Joohwan), Michaela Bocci, Justin Bocci, Ezra King, Azariah King, and 7 great grandchildren, Ilay, Thea, Leah, Faith, Allison, Ella, and Isaac. David is preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Mildred, his brother, Marvin, his sister, Beverly, his brother Richard, and his eldest daughter, Brenda.
David accepted the Lord as his personal savior in 1956 at First Baptist Church in Oceanside, CA at a youth gathering. All of Dave and Arlene’s family are Christians serving the Lord today. He became a minister with the Foursquare Church and served as pastor for about 7 years. He was never really retired from serving the Lord Jesus and caring for people, but he was able to enjoy a few years of leisure, loving his church friends and his community.
Dave served in the US Marine Corps for 12 years, was a civilian in Nampa, Idaho for 5 years, then served in the US Air Force for 9 years. In the military he was a respected member of the band, playing the French horn or leading the band in marches, including 9 times in Rose Bowl Parades. During his service, David and his family were able to enjoy living in California, Maryland, Idaho, Florida, Arizona, Washington and Germany. After retiring, he moved his family to Fremont, NE for 8 years and then moved his family, to finally live in one of the family’s favorite places to live, the Treasure Valley of Idaho.
Continuing with his love of music, he also spent many hours singing and enjoying many facets of music, even recording his own gospel CD.
David passed away (graduated) into the loving arms of Jesus on July 29, 2024, in Nampa. A memorial service is planned for August 17th at 11:00 AM at Harvest Life Church at 11437 Orchard Ave, Nampa. All are welcome and encouraged to attend his memorial. His ashes will be inurned at the VA Cemetery in Boise. We thank Orchards of Cascadia, St. Alphonsus Hospital on Garrity in Nampa, and Bowman Funeral Directors for the dedicated and compassionate care given to Dave and to his family.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, at Harvest Life Church, 11437 Orchard Ave in Nampa.