Martha Elizabeth Kruse, 71, of Sturgis, died Friday, October 21, 2011, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2011, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Rev. Lloyd Lemke officiating.

Martha was born April 5, 1940, in Boston, MA, to Homer and Katheryn (Devens) Brackett. She grew up and attended school in Benicia, CA. Martha moved to the Black Hills in the early 1960's. She worked as a nurse's assistant at Fort Meade for several years.

Martha loved motorcycling in the Black Hills and was a member of the Retreads, a motorcycle club for cyclists 40 years and older. She and Jim hosted motorcyclists from around the U.S. and Canada in their home and yard each year during the motorcycle rally.

Martha is survived by her husband of nearly 12 years, James Kruse; and one brother, Peter Brackett of Dixon, CA.

She was preceded in death by both parents; her first husband, John Whities, Jr. in 1982; and a brother, Albert Brackett.

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