Dolores H. Kruzan

Dolores Helen (Schumacher) Kruzan, 92, of St. John, passed away peacefully Wednesday May 3, 2023.

Born at home in Hammond, IN on May 13, 1930, she was the daughter of Henry and Frances May Schumacher.

She married Richard Kruzan of Crown Point on May 16, 1959. They raised their two children in Hammond and then Munster, IN.

After graduating from Bishop Noll High School, Dolores worked for the Lake County Business Bureau and then enjoyed years as a secretary for Mr. Strawbridge at Great Lakes Mortgage Co. in Hammond. Becoming a homemaker after her son was born, she managed the household while becoming a den mother for the Cub Scout Pack 542 and room mother for her children at St. Thomas More Elementary School. She also worked part time within the CCD department at St. Thomas More before leaving after her husband’s retirement from Inland Steel.

Dolores enjoyed hobbies of knitting, crocheting, and Jumble word puzzles. In later years, she was a master at completing puzzles, collecting and enjoying music boxes, reading biographies and mystery series, and iPad Mahjongg. She volunteered her time in support of her son’s political career and was extremely proud of her son’s law degree and her daughter’s MBA. Her family took particular joy in her sense of humor, her gullibility, her fondness of animals, and her love of a daily dish of ice cream!

Survivors include her son Mark (Sherry) of Bloomington IN, daughter Karen (Schuelka) (Steve) of Crown Point IN, grandchildren Sterk and Kira Schuelka, brother-in-law Peter Murphy, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by all her brothers and sisters, Irene, Robert (Bob), Evelyn (Ev), Virgene (Gene), Aurelia (Pat), Marian (Mimi), Henry (Bud), and Ronald (Ronnie).

Dolores and Richard were reunited during a private interment at Chapel Lawn in Schererville on what would have been their 64th wedding anniversary.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.KuiperFH.com for the Kruzan family.