Wilfred “Fritz” Kruse, age 85, of Fort Branch, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 4, 2004 after a short illness.

Fritz is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Eliza Rose (Pumphrey); his devoted daughter Karen Sue Etcovitch and her husband Irwin of Fort Branch; his two granddaughters Sarah Elizabeth Carter (Greenwell) and her husband Craig of Evansville; and Emily Anne Greenwell of Fort Branch, all of whom loved him very much.

He was preceded by his father Herbert in 1961 his mother Lydia in 1965, and his brother Wilbert in 1983.

Fritz was a graduate of Fort Branch High School. He worked at the Emge Meat Packing from 1945 to 1950, and subsequently dedicated himself to farming for the rest of his life. He was a long time member of The First Presbyterian Church of Fort Branch where he had been a Deacon, Ordained Elder, Trustee and Sunday School Superintendent. Fritz loved people and will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Services for Fritz will be on Sunday March 7, 2004 at 2:00 P.M. at the Stodghill Funeral Home located on Hwy 168 West in Fort Branch, IN, Reverend Sam Sterrett will be officiating,

Burial will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery in Fort Branch.

Friends may call for visitation from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 6, 2004 at the funeral home.