Mildred May Kruse, 91, of Elkader, died Thursday, January 7, 2010, at Central Community Hospital in Elkader. She was born July 11, 1918 in Manchester to Nate and Dora (Foldman) Hammond. Mildred grew up around the Communia and Edgewood area.

Mildred worked for Myles Coonfare in the Garber/Elkader area where she met her future husband, William Kruse. On June 23, 1936, Mildred and William were united in marriage. They farmed the family farm in Pine Hollow, rural Garber, until they retired from farming in the early 70’s and moved to Clayton Center. Following William’s death, she moved to Elkader.

She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkader. She loved to quilt, play cards and dance. Vegetable and flower gardening were also things she enjoyed.

Mildred is survived by five children, Irvin (Carol) Kruse of St. Olaf, Dorothy (late Loen “Jump) Hansel of Garber, William Jr. (Janet) Kruse of Guttenberg, Maxine (Clair) Kruger of Littleport, Kay (Jim) Bolsinger of Greeley; sixteen grandchildren; twenty eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Alvin Hammond; sister-in-law, Florence Hammond; niece, Barb Hammond; grandson, Darrell Ingles; granddaughter, Melissa Kruse and son-in-law, Loen “Jump” Hansel