Jean (Jeannie) Ann Kruse, 82 of St. Clair, passed away on March 20, 2025. She died peacefully surrounded by family after a courageous three-year battle with breast cancer. Throughout her journey, she faced each challenge with strength, grace, and unwavering determination, never losing her sense of love and kindness.

Arrangements are with Woodland Hills Funeral Home in Mankato. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Monday, March 24th. The Funeral Mass will be held at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in St. Clair at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, March 25th. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church.

Jeannie was born in Wells on October 16, 1942. She was the sixth child of John and Adeline Hermanson Betchwars. She graduated from Mankato West in 1960. Jeannie married Ronald Kruse on September 6, 1961, and celebrated 63 years of love and marriage.

Jean was a busy farmwife and mother. While raising 5 children, she enjoyed many family adventures including lots of activities with “The Group” of close friends.  She taught catechism for over 10 years and had a very strong Catholic faith. She was an incredibly selfless person who never forgot a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion.

She delighted in going to garage sales and loved finding a bargain! Her favorite hobbies included cake decorating, quilting, sewing, and painting, all of which she could ultimately give to others. She also enjoyed collecting unique knick-knacks, such as snow babies, teddy bears, Department 56 houses, and many Norman Rockwell items. She was a proud supporter of Boy Scouting, having raised three sons and seven grandsons, all of whom were Eagle Scouts.

After retirement, she and Ronald continued to enjoy traveling the world, including pilgrimages to both Rome, where they saw the Pope, and the Holy Land. They spent time in their winter home in Mesa, Arizona for over 20 years where they met numerous new friends. Spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, was the true highlight of her retirement. She was always generous and kind, constantly finding little ways to provide joy and happiness to others.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ronald and four brothers: Jimmy, Roger, Earl, and Marvin Hermanson.

She is survived by her sister, Jackie Halla of Mankato, two brothers, Duane Hermanson of Blue Earth and Robert (Kim) Betchwars of Ozark, MO, her 5 children: Ricky (Leslie) of Ham Lake, Daniel (Doreen Lupo) of St Clair, Tamara (Steve Hatten) of Prior Lake, Barbara Muellerleile (Jim Johnston) of Lakeville, and David (Denise Larson) of St Clair, 17 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, multiple nieces and nephews, and many friends. 

“For a mother is the only person on earth who can divide her love among 5 children and each child still have all her love.”