Passed Away on May 20, 2016. Age 74 of Inver Grove Heights
Age 74, passed away at home on Friday afternoon, May 20, 2016, after battling cancer for several years. Cam was born December 15, 1941 as the oldest child to Matthew and Irene Kruse in Bryant, South Dakota. He graduated from Bryant High School. He attended Gustavus Adolphus College for three years and finished his engineering bachelor’s and master’s degrees at South Dakota State University. He was united in marriage to his loving wife, Nancy Larson, in 1963 and they shared almost 53 years of marriage. They started married life in South Dakota, but soon moved to Minnesota and settled in Mendota Heights where they have resided ever since. He is also survived by two children: Gregg Kruse of Hastings, Minnesota and Karen (Dale) Kruse Homolka of Jacksonville, Illinois. He adored his five grandchildren: McKenzie, Wyatt and Quinn Kruse; Nora and Sophie Homolka. He and Nancy spent countless hours at hockey games, dance recitals, ball games, and musical performances and were always there to support them in all of their interests. He is survived by siblings Inez (recently deceased, Leon) Eddy from Huron, South Dakota; Al (Paige) Kruse from Bryant, South Dakota; and Teryl (Gary) Akkerman from DeSmet, South Dakota. He was preceded in death by parents Matthew and Irene Kruse. Cam began his career in 1965 with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. In 1968, he was hired as a civil engineer with Braun Intertec. He was the second engineer to be hired for the firm and stayed with them over 40 years until his retirement. His leadership and passion for the industry made a great impact. His years at Braun brought him all over the U.S. and abroad to Honduras, China, Ukraine, England and more. Cam battled cancer for years and never gave up on sharing God’s love and trying to make the world a better place. He taught us all that God created, and is still creating, everything we see and have. He was an active member of their church family at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church. He led the congregation as President, chaired the stewardship committee, sang in a men’s quartet, the church choir, played with praise band, and many other service related roles. He often told stories about a very special mission trip he took to Tanzania. He greatly enjoyed spending time in the outdoors with yearly trips to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and hunting and fishing trips throughout Minnesota and South Dakota. He pursued many hobbies including music, golf, woodworking, and playing the guitar. In recent years, his passion turned to social justice issues. He was active in a local group, ISAIAH, a faith-based organization working for racial and economic equity. A Celebration of Life service will be on Wednesday, June 1 at 11 a.m. at Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, Inver Grove Heights, MN. Luncheon to follow. Visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service and also on Tuesday, May 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the church. Private interment at Acacia Park Cemetery, Mendota Heights, MN at a later date. Memorials preferred to Amazing Grace Lutheran Church or ISAIAH: Faith in Democracy.