Max Lee Kruse

Max Lee Kruse, 43, Leawood, KS, entered into eternal peace and rest on Monday, January 24, 2005, after a lengthy, courageous battle with cancer. Visitation will be at the Church of the Resurrection, Fellowship Hall-East building, 13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS, on Wednesday, January 26, 2005, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be at the Church of the Resurrection, West building sanctuary, on Thursday, January 27, 2005, at 10 a.m. There will be a private family interment at Church of the Resurrection Memorial Garden. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Max L. Kruse Irrevocable Children's Trust (c/o Steve Bahr, Dysart Taylor, 4420 Madison Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64111) or to Church of the Resurrection (13720 Roe Ave., Leawood, KS 66224.) Max was born in Oakley, KS, on July 18, 1961, to Ambrose "Bridge" and Mary Ann Kruse. Growing up in a warm, small town atmosphere, Max never lost his love for his birthplace. He graduated from Oakley High School in 1980. It was there that he excelled in sports with a special love for football, basketball and golf. He quarterbacked two football teams that qualified for state playoffs, was a two time all-state basketball player and qualified for the state golf tournament four years in a row, placing 5th his junior year and 3rd his senior year. His passion for sports never waned and he found a great deal of joy in playing golf with his many friends, coaching his children's sports teams and following K-State football. Max graduated from Kansas State University in 1984, with a degree in Accounting. He was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. After college, he moved to Kansas City and worked for Arthur Andersen, The Hoyt Companies and Xtra Corporation. Max met his wife, Tracy, in Kansas City and they married October 5, 1991. They had four beautiful children, Katie, Molly, Alison and Hunter. Max was deeply involved with his children's activities. He loved coaching soccer and his daughter's basketball team, the Icy Chickens, helping in their classrooms, going on field trips and playing with them. He taught them by example the importance of faith, the treasures of friendship and the impact of unselfish love. His greatest joy was to make a beautiful life for his family. Max was preceded in death by his father, Ambrose "Bridge" Kruse. Max is survived by his wife of 13 years, Tracy (Park) Kruse and four children, Katie, 11, Molly, 9, and twins, Alison and Hunter, 7, all of the home; his mother, Mary Ann Kruse, Oakley, KS; brother, Tom Kruse and wife, Michelle, Lake Stevens, WA; sister, Jan Geier and husband, Fred, Farlington, KS; brother, Jeff Kruse and wife, Nancy, Manhattan, KS; sister, Lois Schippers and husband, Jerry, Salina, KS; parents-in-law, Dick and Carol Park, Overland Park, KS; sister-in-law, Robin Farrell and husband, John, Overland Park, KS; brother-in-law, David Park, Overland Park, KS; and 15 nieces and nephews. Max will be remembered for his zest for life, for finding something positive in everything, even when things were difficult, and for teaching everyone around him the importance of love, faith and friendship. While he often said he was just a "normal guy," Max touched us all in his own special way and his memory will always be a blessing. (Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, 11200 Metcalf, 913-451-1860)