Parker Johnson Kruse

1999 - 2021

Kruse, Parker Johnson

ARENA - Parker Johnson Kruse, 22, of Arena, Wis., went missing on Saturday, July 3, 2021, after saving a distressed boater on the lower Wisconsin River. Parker was born in Prairie du Sac on June 18, 1999, to Jacquelyn Johnson-Kruse and Joel Kruse.

Parker would help anyone in need without hesitation. His family would say he was best known as, "Radar" because he was always listening, even when they didn't think he was. He knew a lot of things at his young age, always taking in new information and thinking outside the box. He lit up a room with just his presence, offering jokes and shenanigans. Parker was happy to be a part of a large and loving family. He was also a proud big brother to McKenzie, and although he didn't always show it, he loved that she looked up to him. She is like him, animated and full of energy. His brother Sawyer was his first best friend. Only having a two-year head start on Parker, there were very few things Sawyer experienced without him. Parker looked up to and enjoyed spending time with his older brothers, Quentin and Jacob, and their families too.

Parker graduated from River Valley High School in 2018, where he met the love of his life, Kourtney Higgins. They shared a love like no other at such a young age. Together, they grew into adulthood and were excited for their future. After high school, Parker graduated from Western Technical College in 2019 for HVAC but realized it wasn't for him. Parker loved working with heavy equipment from a young age; digging was his true passion. He learned the trade and hard work ethic from his grandpa, Jerry Johnson. Parker went into the workforce as a heavy equipment operator, most recently employed at Boehnen's in Cross Plains. It was never work to Parker, just a chance to dig in the dirt with his friends. One friend that he couldn't work without was Kallan Maxwell. You can ask anyone, especially Kallan, that everything was fun with Parker, even the hard stuff.

Parker is survived by his loving parents, Jackie Johnson-Kruse and Joel Kruse; favorite sister, McKenzie Kruse; brothers, Sawyer (Mary Clare) Kruse, Quentin (Alina) Kruse, and Jacob (Dana) Kruse; the love of his life, Kourtney Higgins; and nieces and nephews, Ayden, Noah, Macie, Heidi and Clara. Parker also leaves behind grandmother, Gloria Moles; and best friend, Kallan (KayDee) Maxwell. Parker is further survived by aunts and uncles, Julia Johnson, Joni (Kraig) Johnson-Kropp, Janna (Mark) Johnson-Fuchs, James (Betty) Kruse, Jerry Kruse, and Jerome (Nancy) Kruse. Parker was blessed to grow up with an awesome crew of cousins, including Brock, Riley, Katie, Kody, Karson, Kennedy, Adrien, Lydia, Tommy, Jeromy, Daniele, Branden, and Colton. Parker leaves behind MANY more relatives, good friends, and dogs, Charlie and Olivia. To know him was to love him. Parker was preceded in death by his loving grandparents, Jerry and Cathy Johnson, Robert Kruse, and Alvin Moles; and cousin, Kody Phillips.

Visitation for Parker will be held on Monday, Nov. 29, from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. and again on Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 10 a.m.-11 a.m. at NEW HEIGHTS LUTHERAN CHURCH, 1705 Center St., Black Earth. The memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 11 a.m. at the church, with Pastor Rob Nelson officiating. The memorial service will be livestreamed through New Heights LC Facebook page or New Heights Church on YouTube.

We appreciate everyone's ongoing support and prayers as we continue the search for Parker. To stay up to date with our efforts, find us on Facebook under, "Promise Parker."

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to "Promise Parker" to help with the continued search efforts.