Florence Mildred (Sandstrom) Kruse

Florence M. Kruse, age 102, passed away on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at the Zumbrota Care Center, surrounded by her family. Florence Mildred Sandstrom was born on April 30, 1920, in Sacred Heart, Minnesota the daughter of Carl and Lena (nee Larson) Sandstrom. She grew up in Echo, MN. On August 20th, 1938, she married Ernest (Pat) Kruse in Granite Falls, MN. The couple later moved to Zumbrota. Florence played softball with Rockne Rockets for five years and worked at the Zumbrota Hospital. She raised five children. In 1958, Florence and Pat bought Pat’s Bar and Restaurant in Zumbrota. In 1964, they moved to Moose Lake, MN and started a boarding home for six elderly ladies on Coffee Lake. In 1984, Florence and Pat retired and moved to Apache Junction, AZ and returned to the area in 2004. Florence is an active member of Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. She enjoyed quilting, sewing, canning, and dancing.

Florence is survived by three daughters: Elaine Ganst of Plum City, WI, Barb Paulsen of Fountain City, AZ and Carol (Keith) Olson of Zumbrota and two sons: Dale (Jackie) Kruse of Oakdale, MN and Donnie (Judy) of Zumbrota. She is survived by 15 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. She is further survived by her brother: Carl (Fehrn) Sandstrom of White Bear Lake, MN and nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband on September 30, 1988, one son: Ernie Jr., two sisters: Myrtle Lecy, Judy Jeseritz, three brothers: Kermit, Silas and Lloyd Sandstrom and one grandson: Bradley Lohman.

A private memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Christ Lutheran Church in Zumbrota. Burial will be in the Zumbrota Cemetery.