Jim was born on September 26, 1931 in Chicago, Illinois to Arthur and Irene (Binder) Kruse. He graduated from Amundsen High School in Chicago in 1949 and Iowa State University in 1953. Jim spent 2 years in the Army and was stationed overseas in Germany and made many lifelong friends. On November 7, 1959 he married Shirley Anne Juraszek. Jim’s career spanned nearly 60 years and was still employed at the time of his death.
Jim is survived by his two sons, Lincoln of Batavia, Illinois and Peter and wife Angie of Batavia, Illinois; three grandchildren, Carl Exter of Geneva, Illinois, Pierce Kruse of Batavia, Illinois and Hans Kruse of Batavia, Illinois; two siblings, Barbara Minder of Batavia, Illinois and Arthur Kruse from the Philippines. He was preceded in death by his wife Shirley Anne in 2007.
