Geraldine Bernice Kruse
Our beloved Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother, “Nanny”, Geraldine Bernice Kruse, passed away peacefully on the morning of May 24th, 2024 at the age of 101 years.
Geraldine is predeceased by her husband Otto, her sister Verna Bish (Walter) and two brothers Raymond Horricks (Clemmie) and Thomas Horricks (Catherine), also her 4 half siblings. Gerry leaves behind 4 children, Heather Black (Allan deceased), Richard Kruse (Penny), Michael Kruse (Dorothy), Kelly Kruse (Colleen), 8 grandchildren, Tammy Lee (fiance Timothy), David Black, Sean Black (Nathalie), Kimberly Wedman (Gregory), Kristopher Kruse (Marta), Stefan Kruse (Rebecca),Thomas Kruse (Megan), Emily Zdrodowski (Caleb) and 18 great grandchildren.
“Gerry” was born in Forestburg, Alberta on July 24, 1922, the youngest daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Nellie) Horricks. Gerry went to school at Hastings Coulee, a consolidated 3 room school near their farm. After completing grade 12 there, Gerry attended Normal School in Edmonton for two years, then proceeded to teach in country schools in central Alberta for 8 years. When she was teaching at a school near Stettler, Gerry met and married her lifetime love, Otto Kruse and set up their home in Erskine, where their 4 children were born. When Otto started working for Home Oil they moved their family to Devon Alberta for 1 year then to Swan Hills in 1963. Gerry started teaching there, with her precious Grade 2 class, and continued for 14 years.
Gerry and Ott raised their family in Swan Hills where she was active in the church and art club. When she was in her 50’s both she and Ott took up downhill skiing, and had many memorable days at Misty Ridge and Jasper, skiing with their grandchildren. When Otto retired in 1984, they decided to move to Barrhead where they enjoyed their family and friends, gardening, and the flowers in their yard.
Over the years, Gerry often picked wild berries to make into jams and jellies, which along with homemade bread, would be given on special occasions to the people in her life. She grew a bountiful garden which she shared with many.
Gerry became an accomplished artist, and is one of the founding members of the Barrhead Art Club. Her paintings have won awards and grace the walls of homes around the world. She shared her love of painting as an art class instructor at Hillcrest Lodge for 25 years. She organized the festive painting of windows at Hillcrest and Jubilee Manor each Easter and Christmas. For the twinning anniversary in Barrhead, she coordinated fellow seniors to create two dozen unique paintings on rustic wood slices depicting landscapes from Barrhead & area to give to visitors from Tokoro and Kitami City in Japan.
Her volunteer work also included her in-school mentoring of elementary students, delivering Meals on Wheels to homebound seniors, and serving on the Advisory Committee at the Barrhead United Church. Gerry spent many hours visiting and nurturing seniors at the Keir Care Centre, Hillcrest Lodge and the hospital. In her time as a member of the Versatile’s Seniors’ Choir, she helped bring entertainment and joy to the Hillcrest Lodge, Keir Care Center, Shepherd’s Care, Westlock’s seniors’ lodges and other community groups and functions. In 2017 she was awarded the Long Standing Service Award.
Geraldine’s kindness to everyone is what defined her, she always found the good in everyone and let them know she really cared. Her light will carry on in the hearts of her family and friends and everyone she has touched.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Hillcrest Lodge and Shepherd’s Care Foundation Barrhead for the care and friendship over the past years.
A service of remembrance and celebration of Gerry’s life will be held on July 13th at 1:00PM at the Alliance Church in Barrhead.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be given to Children Believe Canada or a charity of your choice.
