Brenda Lou Kruse

Born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia on September 20, 1954 to Loretta and Charles Perry, she graduated from Tecumseh High School in New Carlisle, Ohio in 1972 and then spent a few years in Florida before relocating back to Ohio where she worked at WCMH TV4 in Columbus, Ohio. After working several years for the Southland Corporation (7-Eleven Food Stores, now known as United Dairy Farmers), she decided to dedicate her time to being a fantastic and wonderful mother and spending way too many nights staying up late to “read one more chapter.” Brenda and her husband have lived in Columbus, Ohio; North Canton, Ohio; Memphis, Tennessee; Fort Smith, Arkansas; and Pickerington, Ohio. For the past 15 years, she has been very active in the Middletown United Methodist Church in Middletown, Kentucky. She was deeply committed to her faith, cherished friendships and found comfort in her Emmaus women’s group.

In 2023, Brenda was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. As the illness progressed, her family learned to meet her where she was, finding joy in small moments.

Brenda is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Lynn Kruse; her children, Ben Kruse and Heather Cox; a sister, Elizabeth Fallen, brothers, Jeff (Shana) Perry and David Perry, sisters-in-law, Joy Perry, Diane (Mike) Thayer, brother-in-law Kent (Michelle) Kruse; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her brother, Greg Perry and her parents, Loretta and Charles Perry.

A memorial service to celebrate Brenda’s life will be held on Monday, December 8, 2025 from 1-3 PM with a celebration of her life to be held at 3:00 PM. All services will take place at Middletown United Methodist Church, 11902 Old Shelbyville Rd., Louisville, KY 40243. An inurnment ceremony will take place in the Spring.

Memorial donations should be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in the name of Brenda Kruse.