Chester R. Kruse

Chester Kruse, 85, of Hepler, Kansas, died at 11:50 a.m., Tuesday, September 30, 2025 in the Landmark Hospital in Joplin, Missouri where he entered September 22.

Chester was born August 5, 1940 in Claflin, Kansas, a son of Allen and Josephine (Friedel) Kruse. He grew up in Hepler and graduated from Hepler High School.

Chester received a Purple Heart while serving his country in the US Army during the Vietnam Conflict from July 20, 1965 until receiving his honorable discharge on May 1, 1967.

Chester married Judith L. Koppa on June 3, 1967 in Hiattville, Kansas and Judith survives of the home.

He was self-employed and worked as a light contractor doing electrical ground work.

Chester was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 1335 in Pittsburg and he enjoyed his family, friends, nature, gardening, woodworking, and metalworking.

Survivors, in addition to his wife, Judith, of the home, are his daughters, Teresa Bird, and her husband, David, of Missouri, Shelly Dillinger, and her husband, Mike, of South Mound, Kansas, and Christie Stirton, and her husband, Mark, of Lancaster, Kansas, his granddaughters, Ashley Dillinger of South Mound and Heather LaRue, and her husband, Garrett, of Chanute, his great-grandson, Austin LaRue, of Chanute, and his brother, Charles Kruse of Hepler.

Chester was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers, George Kruse and Bill Kruse, and a sister, Fay Kruse.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home in Girard. The family requests that everyone wear casual and colorful clothes. Private family services will be held at the Hepler Cemetery at a later date.

Memorials are suggested to the Hepler Cemetery Road Repair Fund and these may be left at the visitation or mailed to the Smith-Carson-Wall Funeral Home, 518 W St. John, Box 258, Girard, 66743.

Condolences may be sent to www.wallfuenralservices.com