William Morgan Kruse

Age 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at Care Partners in Appleton, after a five year struggle with prostate cancer. 

Will was born on June 19, 1943, in Mattoon, Illinois to the late Willard and Nancy Kruse. This family of three later moved to Appleton, WI where they were to welcome three additional siblings for Will; Karen “Kaye”, Jack and Wendy. Will attended McKinley Elementary School, Madison Jr. High and Appleton High School before enrolling in college at the UW Fox Valley Center in Menasha. He then enlisted in the U.S. Army for four years and served in Japan as a Spec. 6 in the Army Security Agency during the Vietnam War. Will was able to become fluent in the Korean language while stationed there, but never divulged the confidential nature of his work. 

Upon returning to the states, Will worked as a computer programmer in Chicago and then in Appleton, starting what would become for him a lifelong interest. He enjoyed watching sports in his spare time...namely the Packers, Badgers, Brewers (and, if truth be told, the Cubs). He also enjoyed biking the state parks and playing tennis.

Will is preceded in death by his parents, Willard and Nancy Kruse, his sister Kaye Hallstrom, niece Julie Kruse and special friends Mary Glatz and Grace Wege.

Will is survived by his brother Jack (Janet) Kruse and their children Andrew (Laura) Kruse, Anne (Matt) Lautz, Bradley (Allie) Kruse; his sister Wendy (Tim) Rutkowski and their children Sherry (Lon) Samford and David (Shelly) Rutkowski; and niece Crystal (Andy Dennison) Hallstrom. He is further survived by a special friend, Mary Fliege.

At Will’s request, no funeral service will be held. Interment will take place at Highland Memorial Park, Appleton.