October 12, 1928 – May 10, 2024
Bill Kruse died at his residence in Eskaton Village, Placerville at the age of 95. He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota and left there at a young age with his father, an iron worker who followed jobs all around the country. As a youngster, Bill moved dozens of times to different states and schools, experiencing a more diverse life as a child than many adults do over a lifetime.
Bill landed in California as a teenager, and at 16 years old joined the US Maritime Service as a Merchant Marine. He served on four ships in the Pacific region; most notably the SS Walter W Schwenk, whose mission with the US Army Graves Registration Service was to return fallen WWII US servicemembers from overseas graveyards to national or family grave sites in the United States. Bill emotionally recounted solemn port reception ceremonies for the Schwenk and her crew when returning their precious cargo home to loved ones.
Bill aspired to continue his Merchant Marine service on the East coast, hoping for a ship headed to Europe. Before departing for new ports of call, he served as the best man at his closest friend’s wedding, where he met the bride’s sister, Joan. He thought she was a classy lady and he probably “wouldn’t stand a chance” with her, however fate was on his side and Bill and Joan were married in Los Angeles, California in 1948. It would be a 75-year adventure for their lives together. Living in northern California, they started their family that included two girls and a boy.
Bill had a long career with the General Electric nuclear energy program, working long hours in the newly developing program. In his spare time, he had many home improvement projects underway, coached both his daughters’ softball teams and loved boating and water skiing. He was a passionate San Francisco Giants baseball fan and went to many games. Bill also loved attending San Francisco’s annual Fleet Week, featuring a ship ride around the Bay to commemorate his Merchant Marine days.
After several years living in the comfortable San Francsico Bay area “cocoon,” as he called it, he wanted his young family to experience new places. He became a field engineer for nuclear reactor construction and spent the remainder of his career in six different states and twice overseas in Switzerland. He had a true zest for learning everything he could about new places and people where ever he went; Bill was “all in” whether touring historic sights, skiing snowy Alps, or going behind the Iron Curtain to experience Eastern Europe. And along the way sampling as much local food, wine and beer as possible!
After retirement Bill and Joan moved back home to northern California, but didn’t stay put for long. They soon got an RV and traveled extensively from coast to coast, to Canada and even three trips to the wilds of Alaska. They went to many national parks, visited family, and saw a lot of unique places. Their road trips served as a continuation of the enjoyment they both felt for seeing exciting sights, meeting people and trying new fare. In their elder years, the RV travel days came to a close and they moved to Camino and Placerville, California. They enjoyed a few years in Gold Country Senior Living Community, and more recently in Eskaton Village, Placerville.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Joan; two brothers Bob and Bernie Kruse, sister Bette Hammes; and a great-grandson Wyatt Krantz. He is survived by his daughters Kate (Jim) Halvorson and Karen Wilson; and his son Jerry Kruse (fiancée Teresa). Grandchildren Jessica (Matthew), Amy (Bob), Mandi (Chris), Nikki (Donald), Angela (Brian), and Andrea (Fritz); great-grandson Jameson, great-granddaughters Madeleine, Brittany, Sydney, Rebekah, Annabelle, and Eliza; and great-great granddaughter Maisie.
Bill lived a long life to the fullest – his legacy was working hard for a living to take care of his family, and remaining committed to his long marriage with Joan. The family thanks Gold Country staff; Eskaton Resident Care Coordinator Max and Medical Technician Traci, and support staff. Snowline hospice nurse Chelsea and support staff; and Marshall Medical Primary Care Provider Dr Bill Koble -- who is not above making house calls -- and oncologist Dr Rashmi Ramasubbaiah.
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