HERBERT KRUSE

Herb passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 19 after living a full life of 100 years. He was born October 14, 1914, the son of the late Henry and Martha (Stahl) Kruse and lived his entire lifetime in Neenah. Herb grew up a step away from downtown Neenah and spent many happy hours playing behind what was then Bergstrom Paper Company. That area including Little Lake Butte des Morts was his childhood playground. Herb was a Neenah High School graduate, class of 1932. He married Verna (Boehm) Kruse on September 7, 1937 in Neenah and together they spent over 60 happy years. She preceded him in death in 2001. Herb was the owner of a Dodge-Plymouth dealership in Neenah from 1935-1942. In 1943 he joined the sales staff of Kimberly-Clark Corp., and on January 1, 1946 joined First National Bank of Neenah (now Associated Bank) to organize the Installment Loan Department. He was promoted to assistant vice-president in 1956 and elected vice-president in 1970. During his time at the bank he attended and graduated from the School of Consumer Banking in Virginia. He retired from banking on December 31, 1976 after 31 years of service. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially in the company of his father for many years. His other hobbies included golf, boating and his greatest love, gardening. His flowerbeds were the envy of all the neighbors and he especially loved his hybrid tea roses and begonias. Herb loved to work with wood and could often be found in his workshop building just about anything, although very ornate birdhouses were his specialty. He managed to make something out of what others threw away and could always be counted on to have just the right nail or screw you might be looking for. Herb was also active in the community serving as chairman for the American Red Cross, Goodwill Fund Drive and working for the Neenah-Menasha Chamber of Commerce and Neenah Downtown Development. He was a lifelong member of Trinity Lutheran Church-Neenah and served on many committees within the church over the years. He was an active member of the Neenah Club for many, many years and last, but not least, Herb enjoyed 57 continuous years of playing Tuesday night poker with his "buddies". Survivors include two daughters, Carol (Dick) Shimek, Neenah; Barb (Tom) Wilde, Neenah; four grandchildren, Paul (Connie) Shimek, Londonderry, NH; Mark Shimek, Neenah; Angela (Luke) Burns, Neenah; Matt (Holly) Wilde, Eden Prairie, MN and four great-grandchildren, Carter and Ella Burns and Emily and Hannah Wilde. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 407 Oak Street, Neenah on Monday, February 23 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Tony McKenzie officiating. Interment will be at Oak Hill Cemetery. Friends and relatives may visit at the church from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Trinity Lutheran Church. The family wishes to include special thanks to the VNA Independent Living Staff, VNA in Home Care and Theda Care Hospice for the wonderful care they gave Herb.