Eva Mae Kruse

Eva Mae Kruse, 91, passed away December 2, 2018. She was born Eva Mae West on June 25, 1927 in Molene, Kansas to parents Charles and Katherine West. She was the youngest of four daughters. Due to her Dad's job, the family moved and settled in Knippa, Texas when Eva was young.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Albert, and her son, Kenneth.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Ryan and Carolyn (Michael) Hanson, and grandchildren Cynthia Kruse, Robert Sheffy and Stephen Sheffy. At 16, she met and eventually married Albert Henry Kruse. Together they raised three children- Kenneth, Kathryn, and Carolyn.

Eva worked for Sears Department store for 15 years and managed a successful antique business for many years. She also helped out as needed at her husband's tennis facility, The Al Kruse Tennis Center. She loved to go "antiquing" as she called it. Summer vacations included stops at every junk shop, antique store, or market day's festival along the vacation route. Her children still believe their mother planned those routes out and that it wasn't just a "coincidence" as she would state.

Eva also loved cooking and gardening. She raised Amaryllis plants, planted rose gardens, and helped to manage the vegetable garden that her husband planted every year.

Eva was ever mindful of who she referred to as "the underdog"-that person or family who was less fortunate than her. She would help out by cooking and delivering meals, making trips to the store to purchase items for them with her own money, or driving them to Dr.'s appointments as needed.

Eva did her best to ensure her "underdogs" did not go without necessities we often take for granted. She told a story once about a lady that was standing in the meat section at the grocery store. As she got closer, Eva noticed the woman was crying. When asked why, the lady responded that she wanted to buy some hamburger to prepare a meat dish for her family but she didn't have enough money. Eva loaded the ladies cart with meat, followed her to the register, and paid for all of it. "You have to give back some of what God has so graciously given to you" she told her daughter Carol, "It's just the right thing to do." She lived a colorful but simple life only learning to drive when she was 52. When asked why she waited so late in life Eva replied, "I just never felt the need. If I wanted to go somewhere, I'd hop on the bus or ask my husband to drive me there." When her mind began to fail her, Eva still managed to bring joy to those at the nursing home where she lived by singing 'Happy Birthday' to anyone she came across. The nurses said that they could even call their family members and she would joyfully sing the tune to them over the phone.

Eva dearly loved her family. She always sacrificed her needs for their good, was supportive and encouraging, wise and kind, and proud of each and every one of their accomplishments. She will be remembered as a selfless wife, mother, and grandmother who smiled even when times were tough. Her favorite saying was "This, too, shall pass."

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 7, 2018 at 1:00 pm at Memory Gardens Funeral Home with a Chapel Service to follow at 2:00 pm. Interment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.