Kenneth A. Kruse, Jr., age 86, a resident of Wheaton, IL, died Saturday, April 7, 2018, at Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield, IL. He was born October 4, 1931 in Covington, KY.

After serving in the Army during the Korean War, Ken returned to civilian life where he worked for many years in education, teaching at Naperville Central High School and later in developing education materials as a Senior Editor at Laid Law Brothers Publishing Company in River Forest.

For more than twenty five years he was an active member of the Wheaton Elks Lodge No. 2258 where he served as an officer and trustee encouraging the work of the Lodge.

Ken will be remembered as a good and always helping friend to those who knew him.

He is the dearly beloved husband of Patricia; the devoted and loving father to his children, Catherine (David) Testyon, Elizabeth Kruse and Kenneth A. (Kristine) Kruse III; the proud grandfather of Taylor, Cassandra and David M, as well as Wren, Rose and Kenneth C.

A visitation will be held on Friday, April 20, 2018 from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL. Prayers will be said at the funeral home on Saturday, April 20, 2018 at 12:15 p.m. A funeral Mass will follow at 1:00 p.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church , 310 S. Wheaton Avenue, in Wheaton, IL, with a gathering at Cooper's Corner in Winfield following the service. Interment will be private.