Anita Schotte Kruse

Anita Schotte Kruse, 89, of Marysville, KS, reached her heavenly home on February 18, 2024, at Country Living in Marysville.

A visitation was held Thursday, February 22, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at Kinsley Mortuary.

A funeral was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 23, at Immanuel (Hermansberg) Lutheran Church, northeast of Bremen.  Rev. Aaron T. Fenker, Sr., and her nephew, Rev. Robert Riggert officiated.  Bev Crome played the organ while the congregation sang “Amazing Grace”, “Heaven is My Home” and “Jesus, Lead Thou On.”

The pallbearers were her grandsons: Timothy Pralle, Kayne Hagedorn, Austin Schotte, Zachary Schotte, Garrett Lister, Jake Sankey, Taylor Schotte, Luke Sankey and Hadley Schotte.

The honorary pallbearers were her granddaughters: Katina Holle, Karissa Stiers, Tiffany Manning, Emily Allen, Jordyn Ring, Tessa Hobbs and Maggie Schotte.

Burial was in the church cemetery.

Anita was born on September 21, 1934, at Bremen, KS, to Louis and Dorothea (Rengstorf) Sohl.  On September 30, 1934, she was received into Holy Baptism by Rev. J.V. Kauffeld at Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Bremen.  On March 21, 1948, she was confirmed in the Lutheran faith by Rev. Paul Ludwig.  In 1952, Anita graduated from Marysville High School.  On July 12, 1953, she was united in marriage to Paul N. Schotte.  Together they raised six children; Susan, Kathryn, Steven, Patrick, Jean and Ann.  They instilled in them a strong work ethic and a solid foundation of faith.

After Paul's sudden death on December 23, 1976, Anita continued running the farm with the help of their sons.  She later married Duane Kruse in 1985.  Duane passed away in 1996. She was also preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Susan Hagedorn; sisters, Irma Riggert, Olivia Friedrichs and Lois Allen; and brother, Norbert Sohl.

Survivors include her children, Kathryn (Larry) Pralle, Bremen, Steven (Margaret) Schotte, Patrick (Kelly) Schotte, Jean (Craig) Lister, all of Marysville, and Ann (Hal) Sankey, Andale, KS; son-in-law, Larry Hagedorn, Hanover; 16 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; sister, Elaine Sohl, Omaha, NE; sisters-in-law, Anita Holle, Marysville, Lois Sohl, Beatrice, NE, and Debra Kruse, Herkimer; brother-in-law, John Allen, Bellevue, NE; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Anita was a faithful member of Immanuel Lutheran Church of Bremen, where she had been a member of Lutheran Women's Missionary League and Ladies Society.  She found enjoyment in attending her children’s, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren's school and sporting events and 4-H activities.  Anita will be lovingly remembered by her family as a fun-loving mom who never turned away from hard work and persevered through life's many obstacles.  It was her love of the family farm, even through challenging times, that brought her much satisfaction and happiness.

A memorial fund has been established and will be designated later.  Contributions may be sent in the care of Kinsley Mortuary.