Ruth A. (Wallis) Kruse
Ruth A. (Wallis) Kruse, age 92, passed away peacefully from chronic heart failure on December 13, 2022, at her Omaha apartment surrounded by friends.
A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Omaha on Monday, January 2, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. Memorials can be sent to Immigrant Legal Center, 4223 Center, Omaha, NE 68105.
Ruth was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 26, 1930, to Inez (Hoagland) and Robert Wallis. She grew up in Estancia, New Mexico, Grand Junction, Colorado, and Scottsbluff as the family followed her father’s federal work as an entomologist.
Ruth received her bachelor of arts degree from Nebraska Wesleyan University, majoring in music. She received a master of arts degree from Garrett Seminary in Illinois; while there she reconnected with Lowen Kruse who she had met at Nebraska Wesleyan. They were married in 1956, together serving the Nebraska United Methodist Church in Shelton, Custer County, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Omaha First United Methodist Church.
Ruth was an accomplished pianist and organist, and maintained music in her life through becoming a piano teacher for 12 years and often was the church organist. In her career as a Diaconal Minister she served three United Methodist Churches as Director of United Ministries of Northeast Omaha.
Ruth was kind, wise, generous, and a fierce defender of justice. As a feminist, she was active on the UM Conference for the Status and Role of Women, and the Nebraska Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women, serving as chairperson one year. She founded PFLAG Omaha (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
Her other accomplishments included: Douglas Co. MADD coordinator, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), Foster Care board, AARP chapter president, North Kiwanis president, and many other volunteer organizations. She received community service awards from many organizations and the state Governor.
She is survived by son, Douglas Kruse (Lisa Schur), of New Jersey; daughter, Jorika Stockwell (Barry Stockwell), of Vermont; granddaughters, Lauren and Kiera Stockwell; niece, Patti Nielsen; nephews, Bruce Whitefoot, Matt Evans, and Mark Evans; and her strong Nebraska community of friends.
Preceded in death by husband, Senator Lowen Kruse; both parents; and sister, Alice Evans.