  SMSGT DONALD KRUSE U.S. Air Force, Retired Donald Ray Kruse, 79, of Laughlin, passed away Aug. 9, 2012. He was born Oct. 18, 1932 in Duluth, Minn. He was raised in Duluth until he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1949. He met his wife, of 45 years, Marlene Kruse at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, Okla. He quickly rose through the ranks and retired as a senior master sergeant after 21 plus years. He later returned to work for the Air Force as a civilian, finally retiring as a deputy chief of Procurement at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. He was a long standing member of the Shrine organization, a Mason and was a part time employee and volunteer for LVMPD. Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Marlene Kruse; mother, Mabel Ebmer; father, Rudy Kruse; stepmother, Lucy Kruse; and twin sister, Donna Hutchins. He is survived by his daughter, Kimberly Pillsbury and her husband, Dale; son, Eric Kruse and wife, Teresa; and son, Michael Kruse and wife, Summer. He has seven grandchildren, listed from eldest age, Jeremie, Christian, Cameron, Cody, Meghan, Colyn and Chase. He also leaves his sister, Cheryl Smolnikar and husband, Jim; and sister, Wendy Meyer and husband, Reggie; and many wonderful nephews and nieces. Services will be at 10:40 a.m., Aug. 17, at Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Buchanan Blvd., Boulder City.
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