Charles D. Kruse, 83, of Hepler, Kansas, died at 7:29 p.m., Saturday, August 1, 2026 in Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. He had been in failing health.
Charles was born August 29, 1942 in Lyons, Kansas, a son of Allen and Josephine (Friedel) Kruse. As a child, he moved with his family to Hepler where grew up and attended schools and graduated from Hepler High School.
He married Glorius Dolline Pulliam on September 28, 1964 in Fort Scott, Kanas and Dolline preceded Charles in death on July 18, 2023.
Charles served in the US Army from 1966 until receiving his honorable discharge in 1972. He served in Munich, Germany and Fort Hamilton, New York in the C battery, 1st Battalion, 35th artillery. He received the National Defense Service Medal and the Rifle Marksman Badge.
Charles spent his life in Hepler farming alongside his brother, Bil, for more than 45 years. If you knew Charles, you knew he never met a stranger. He had a kind heart, an easy smile, and a gift for making everyone feel welcome. Whether he was sharing stories, lending a helping hand, or simply enjoying a conversation, he left people feeling better than when they arrived.
Charles was of the Christian faith, and he enjoyed tending his garden, tinkering around the farm, and spending time with family and friends. More than anything, Charlie taught his children and grandchildren the values that matter most: work hard, stay humble, and treat people the way you want to be treated.
Charles lived life on his own terms. He didn’t seek recognition or attention; instead, he quietly built a life defined by integrity, resilience, generosity, and unconditional love for his family. The lessons he taught, the values he lived by, and the example he set will continue to guide those who were blessed to know him.
Survivors include his son, Rick Kruse, and his wife, Carol, of Lawrence, Kansas and his daughter, Susie Peak, and her husband, Donny, of Parsons, Kansas, his grandchildren, Hayley Crowder (Lundon), Erin Kruse, Alex Stice (Taylor), Kooper Peak, Emily Kruse (Omar), David Malone, Crystsl Davis, and Johnny Davis. His great-grandchildren, Koehn and Brooks Stice, Blaike Ryan, Rey and James Zornes, Everleigh Thompson, and Dylan Malone. His sisters-in-law, Judy Kruse and Stella Stone.
Charles was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, a son, Steve Kruse, a daughter, Brenda Joe Davis, a granddaughter, Skyler Peak Ryan, on September 30, 2023, his sister, Fay Kruse, and his brothers, Bill Kruse, George Kruse, and Chester Kruse.
Private family services will be held with Military Honors and burial will be in the Hepler Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m., Friday, August 14, 2026 at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard where friends may call after 2:00 p.m., Friday.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and these may be sent to the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.
Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuneralservices.com
