Dolores "Dee" Kruse, 95 a life long resident of Traverse City passed away Wednesday August 5, 2020 at Munson Medical Center surrounded by her loving family.

Dee was born on July 18, 1925 in Detroit. She was the eldest child of the late Theodore and Lorraine (Wurm) Yanski.

On July 3, 1948 at St. Francis Church, 23 year old Dee married 24 year old Ed. They were married by Father Joseph Kohler. Before Ed's passing on March 2, 2013, they spent 64 years of marriage together.

Dee grew up with her four siblings and parents on Lake Street. Many of her summers were spent on her Grandma Mary Wurm's family farm in Hannah. It was at the farm with her Grandma Mary where she learned her love for cooking and learned her dislike for all dairy products except for ice cream.

As a young girl she was an usher at the now State Theatre. She attended St. Francis School through the 10th grade.

Dee began her working career at Parts Manufacturing where she met the love of her life, Ed Kruse. Dee had a sparkle in her eye for Ed and gave him a Christmas Card which gave him the courage to ask her out on a date which started their love story.

Dee was often referred to as a "sweet lady" and will be greatly missed by her friends and family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Dee's greatest joy was being a mother to her four children and she eventually took the time to learn to drive at the age of 35 so she could drive her kids around to all of their activities. She enjoyed gardening, golfing, mushroom hunting for morels (which were her favorite food), bingo and the occasional trip to the casino. She was an avid reader until macular degeneration took away her reading eye sight. Sunday chicken dinners were always one of her favorite activities and she loved a good scratch off lottery ticket - especially the ones that paid out well. Family barbeques in the back yard grilling chicken always brought a smile to Dee's face.

Dee was a woman of great faith and was a member of Immaculate Conception Church. She believed dearly in prayer and prayed often to St. Jude. St. Jude's Children's Hospital was her favorite charity.

After Eddy passed away, with the help of her children and wonderful neighbors, Gene, Georgia, Laura, Kathy and Lee, Dee remained living alone at the family home, which Ed built himself, until she was 94.

In the fall of 2019, Dee moved to French Manor South Assisted Living. Her children made sure Dee was kept busy with weekly outings to the VFW, playing bingo at the French Manor, attending weekly Rosary reciting's and sing-alongs. She loved being dressed in the latest styles and loved getting her hair done on Friday's by her dear friend Linda. Dee always wanted to be on the go.

Dee was preceded in death by her parents, beloved husband Edward and her four younger siblings; Betty (Leonard) Popa, Geneva Yanski, Theodore Yanski and Patrick Yanski.

Dee is survived by her children Annmarie (Tom) Plamondon, Jim (Cindy) Kruse, Nancy Kruse and Shari Kruse; grandchildren Alisha (DJ) Gauthier, Adam Kruse, Lane Plamondon; great grandchildren Madisyn Gauthier and Brayden Gauthier; sisters-in-law Anne Yanski, Nancy Yanski, Jeanne Solomonson and Rosie Derrick.

Dee's family would like to thank Kelley and her staff at French Manor South for taking great care of her during this past year. Thanks also to her wonderful group of friends who made her feel so welcome at her new home especially Marge, Amanda and Mary Ellen and so many other friends and staff. Thanks to all of you for your kindness to our dear mom. She is already missed by many.

The memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at 11:00 am with visitation beginning one hour prior in the gardens at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home. A luncheon will follow also in the garden. Due to COVID-19, the memorial service and luncheon will be for family only. Friends are invited to watch the memorial online at www.rjfh.tv

Memorial contributions in her honor may be directed to St. Jude's or to Cherryland Humane Society.

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