Douglas John Kruse

Douglas John Kruse, age 55, of Preston, IA, passed away on July 19, 2022 after a lengthy battle with neuroendocrine cancer. A visitation will be held Friday, July 22, 2022 at Law Jones Funeral Home in Preston, from 4pm to 7pm. Inurnment will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Dorchester, IA on a later date. Family and friends are invited to share in Doug’s life at lawjonesfuneralhome.com.

Doug was born January 4, 1967, in Waukon, IA, the son of Norbert and Kathleen (Larson) Kruse. He graduated from Waukon High School, then briefly attended St. John’s University in Minnesota. Doug would go on to work various quarry jobs, most recently as operating engineer for Ready Mix, in Preston. He was also a volunteer EMT and firefighter.

On September 21, 1991 Doug married Shelly DeWitt, in Griswold, IA. They had four wonderful children; Deanna Jane, Emily Irene, Quinton Norbert, and Claire Kathleen. Quinton married Reid Briney on Oct 3, 2020, and on January 14, 2022 they produced Doug’s first grandchild, a beautiful baby girl named Riley. She was the light of Doug’s eyes, in his final months.

Doug enjoyed hunting and spending time fishing on his boat. His trips to Kenosha, WI, fishing on Lake Michigan were some of his favorite times. But he didn’t need to be on a trip to enjoy life. He happily helped out on his parents' family farm and spent countless hours in his garage. He turned that garage into quite the spare kitchen, where he would cook for family cookouts, and for his Wednesday Supper Club pals. When he wasn’t busy preparing food or helping others, you could find him watching old westerns, cheering on his Minnesota Vikings, playing with his dogs, Gus and Lulu, or just “shooting the sh*t” with his many friends.

Doug will be dearly missed by his wife, Shelly; four children, Deanna, Emily, Quinton (Reid), and Claire; granddaughter, Riley; mother, Kathleen Kruse; brothers, Dennis Kruse and Dan (Suzanne) Kruse; sisters, Debbie (Kelly) McConnell, Diane (Gary) Weymiller, Denise (Pat) Rose, Darla (Steve) Zahn, and Dana (Jason) Wiebke; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Doug is preceded in death by his father, Norbert Kruse.