James Everett Kruse, 56, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer, Saturday, August 10, 2013 at the VA Black Hills Health Care Center at Fort Meade.

Visitation will be 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. Friday, August 16, 2013 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Pastor Nick Haasch officiating. Burial with military honors follows at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

James was born September 22, 1956 in Gordon, NE, to Joyce and Marion Kruse. He graduated from Sturgis Brown High School in 1974. In 1976 James joined the US Navy and served our country for 12 years. He worked at Continental Lumber Company in Hill City before joining the South Dakota Army National Guard in Sturgis. He retired as an SFC in 2012.

Jim married Patty Breslin in 1978. They had two children, Joan Elaine and Diedre Marie. They lived in Whidby Island, WA, and Norfolk, Virginia.

Jim married Marty Whiting on November 23, 1999. They lived in Sturgis, SD.

Jim spent time in Iraq in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Jim enjoyed riding his motorcycle with his friends from all over the country. He and Marty hosted rally bikers each year and became close friends with many of them.

Survivors include his parents, Joyce and Marion Kruse, Sturgis; daughters Joan Kruse and her daughters, Alexandrea and Catreana, Rapid City, Diedre (Derrick) McCall and their daughters, Lilly and Violet, Mangilao, Guam; three sisters, Laurie Behrens, Lisa (Scott) Bellew, and Kathy (Byron) Sarchet; and one brother, Russell (Ralphine) Kruse.

He was preceded in death by his wife Marty (Whiting) Kruse.

Memorials have been established to Trinity Lutheran Church and the Cornerstone Mission Veteran's Program.

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