World War I
Louis Kruse was born at Fort Calhoun, NE, on Dec. 30, 1894, to John and Lena (Tietgen) Kruse. He had three sisters and two brothers. He spent his youth in Fort Calhoun until he entered the service in World War I. According to the application for his headstone, he enlisted Sept. 4, 1918, when he was about 23 years old, and was discharged Jan. 9, 1919. He served as a private in the U.S. Army with the 161st Depot Brigade.
Grandson Dave Kruse stated, “I was told he completed boot camp and was packed to go overseas and then the war was over.”
After his discharge from the Army, Louis was employed at Tietgen’s Grocery in Sholes, a store run by his uncle Emil Tietgen, who was also a WWI veteran.
In 1921, Louis married Hilda Herrmann at the home of her parents near McLean. They spent most of their married life in Pierce County except for six years at Fort Calhoun. Louis farmed for nine years, then moved to McLean in 1933, where he spent the rest of his life. He was employed by the Pierce County road department until his retirement.
Louis and Hilda had three daughters, one of whom died in infancy, and the others were Kathryn and Ila Rae.
He also had five sons: Waine, Dale, Marlyn, Larry and Gene.
According to information from Gene’s son, American Legion Post 326 Commander Dave Kruse, all the brothers served in the military — Waine in the Army, serving in Korea; Dale served in the Army in Germany; Marlyn served in the Army as a cook in the Philippines; Larry served in the National Guard, was activated for Vietnam but instead was sent to the riots in Omaha; Gene served in the Army and Air Guard.
Dave Kruse served in the Nebraska National guard for 24 years, and his son, Randy, has served in the Nebraska National Guard for 13 years. His brother Bill served six years with the Nebraska National Guard in Norfolk.
Louis was a member of the McLean town board, the McLean school board and American Legion Post 326. He died Feb. 20, 1965, and was buried in the Randolph city cemetery.
