Dahna Maria Kruse

Dahna Maria (Kummer) Kruse was born on March 19, 1947 in McPherson, KS to Francis Edward (Ed) and Gladys (Peterson) Kummer. She grew up in Eaton, CO where she attended school and graduated in 1965 from Eaton High School. Dahna earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Physical Education in 1970 from Colorado State College in Greeley, CO. As a young girl, she enjoyed being outdoors. As a teenager, Dahna baby sat for neighborhood children and worked at the Eaton A&W Root Beer Stand as a car hop and a cook to earn money to buy her first car. During high school and college she also helped in the family newspaper and printing business. Dahna married Larry Charles Kruse on August 14, 1976 in Eaton, CO. They were blessed with three children: Nicole, Brian, and Karl. Dahna and Larry lived in Aurora, CO before moving to Elkhorn, NE in 1991. Dahna taught physical education classes at Malley Drive Elementary School, Northglenn, CO. After her children were born, Dahna ran an in-home daycare so that she could spend more time with Nicole, Brian, and Karl. Later, when her kids were in school, Dahna taught preschool in churches in Aurora, CO and in Elkhorn, NE. She then started working as a teaching assistant and later as a substitute teacher in the Elkhorn Public School District. She continued to teach up to the time of her death. Dahna was a loving woman who took care to make any situation a learning opportunity. She loved life and was seldom idle. Dahna enjoyed researching genealogy, square dancing, attending concerts, playing cards, and driving tractors with the EVAPA tractor club. She was an avid football fan and especially enjoyed watching the Denver Broncos and the Nebraska Cornhuskers. She loved a lobster dinner and Mexican food. Some of her happiest times though were the numerous long trips all over the country with or to see her family. Her primary focus was her family and their activities. She was always there with words of encouragement and a huge proud smile to celebrate their accomplishments. The phrase her family remembers hearing from her the most was “Love you bunches” Dahna passed away suddenly on March 6, 2013, at the Lakeside Hospital in Omaha, NE at the age of 65 years, 11 months and 15 days. Dahna is survived by her husband Larry, daughter Nicole Kruse of Tyngsboro, MA, son Brian and daughter-in-law Lisa Kruse of St.Louis, MO, and son Karl and daughter-in-law Stacy Kruse of Falls Church, VA; and by her mother Gladys Kummer of Greeley, CO, sister Kathryn and brother-in-law Monty Lawler of Buena Park, CA, sister Rita Kummer of Greeley, CO and sister Nancy and brother-in-law Robert Christensen of Rye, CO, as well as by many nieces and nephews, a grand-cat and four grand-dogs. Dahna was preceded in death by her father Ed Kummer. Kruse, Dahna age 65 of Elkhorn, NE Survived by husband Larry; children Nicole Kruse of Tyngesboro, MA, Brian and Lisa of St. Louis, MO and Karl and Stacy of Falls Church, VA; mother Gladys Kummer of Greely, CO; sisters and brothers-in-law Katherine and Monty Lawler of Buena Park, CA, Rita Kummer of Greely, CO and Nancy and Robert Christensen of Rye, CO; Visitation Tuesday noon to 8 PM with family receiving friends from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home. Funeral Wednesday 10:30 AM at Bethany Lutheran Church in Elkhorn; Interment and graveside service Wednesday 3:30 PM at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Lidderdale, IA; in lieu of flowers memorials to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Condolences to www.reichmuthfuneralhomes.com Reichmuth Funeral Home 21901 W. Maple Rd. 402-289-2222

Dahna Maria Kruse

March 19, 1947 - March 6, 2013