Jerrold L Kruse

Jerrold ‘Jerry’ Kruse, age 73, passed away peacefully in his home on April 4th, 2024 with his wife by his side. He was born in Colby, Kansas on June 1, 1950 to Lawrence and Josephine Kruse. Jerry was the fifth of seven children and grew up on their family farm near Selden, Kansas. After graduating from Leoville High School in 1969, he went into construction and established himself as a very skilled tradesman. After marrying his wife, Irene, in 1973, they moved to Colorado Springs and started their family having their daughter, Kelly, and son, Daniel. He co-founded the company Seven States Steel in 1976 fabricating metal buildings throughout the US. After leaving the construction business in 1990, he then went to work for Spa Palace for the next 30 years as warehouse manager until his retirement in 2020. Jerry was a hard-working man and skilled in many trades, being an exceptionally skilled welder.

Jerry had a passion for single action shooting and enjoyed every aspect of being a cowboy and the old west! He loved pheasant hunting, helping out with the wheat and corn harvest on the farm, and took any opportunity to return back to his roots in Kansas. Jerry was always the life of the party and never turned down a fun time. Jerry and his wife spent 30 years enjoying the Denver Broncos and going to all the home games. Jerry and Irene enjoyed country music and loved to go dancing. He enjoyed his family and friends, working and playing outdoors, visiting the National Parks with family and leaves us with many memories we will keep forever.

He is preceded in death by his parents Lawrence and Josephine Kruse, and his brothers Robert Kruse and Merlin Kruse. Jerry is survived by his wife Irene; daughter Kelly (Tyler), granddaughters Morgan, Carley, and Lindsey; son Daniel (Priscilla), granddaughter Naomi, and grandson Josiah. He is also survived by his sisters Virginia, Diana (Frank), Geraldine (Chris), and brother John (Marcia), and many, many nieces and nephews.

Jerry’s services will be held at Springs Funeral Services, located at 3115 E. Platte Ave. in Colorado Springs on Saturday May 4th at 2 pm. There will be a reception to immediately follow at COS City Hub 4304 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colo. Springs.

The memorial donations/gifts in memory of Jerry can be given to the following organizations:

SASS Scholarship Foundation

102 E. Rochester St.

P.O. Box 960

Akron, IN 46910

National Park Service

Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site

35110 State Hwy 194

La Junta, CO 81050