Michael Ernest Kruse

TECUMSEH – Michael E. Kruse, age 67, of Tecumseh, passed away at his residence surrounded by family and friends on Sunday, December 7, 2025. He was born in Adrian on September 22, 1958, to the late Douglas U. and Marilyn A. (Pate) Kruse. Mike attended and graduated from Madison Schools. In 1983, he opened Kruse Construction, operating the business until his retirement in 2017. On October 20, 1995, he married Dawn M. Dusseau in Adrian, and she survives.
A member of the Michigan Regional Carpenter's Union, Mike was a master carpenter, and it showed in every detail of the home he built for his wife and himself. He also built numerous "small monuments" all throughout Michigan as he referred to his projects! A lover of traveling, Mike and Dawn recently completed a three-week trip together. Mike and Dawn enjoyed 25 summers in Saint Joseph, Michigan boating. At one time he owned his own plane and flying provided his first taste of freedom. In his free time, he also enjoyed fishing, gambling and hosting friends. He had a real zest for life and never met a stranger – making friends wherever he went. He formed a brotherhood with many life-long friends. Mike was a member of the Sons of the American Legion and former Friends of the VFW.
Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 30 years, Dawn; goddaughter, Laine Hamilton; his beloved Labradors, Galaxie and Bristol; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mary Kruse, Tammy and Wally Poff, Wendy Dusseau, Larry and Christina Dusseau, Shane and Taria Dusseau, and Lance Dusseau; many nieces and nephews, Nicholas (Tiffiny) Kruse, Sarah (Joshua) Mathis, Tony (Danielle) Ebert, Kassandra (David) Salyer, Kelsey (Joey) Toro, Kurstyn Hensley, Tatum (Cameron) Dusseau, Trevor Dusseau, Caitlyn Dusseau, Dallas (Carissa) Dusseau, Alec (Julia) Dusseau, and Clayton Dusseau; great-nieces and nephews, Landon Willis, Alexis Ebert, Aaliyah Ebert, Easton Ebert, Addie Mathis, Lizzie Runyon, Bryce Kruse, Drew Kruse and Noah Kruse, Brielle Toro, Kora Toro, Maverick Dusseau, Walker Dusseau, and Penelope Dusseau; and close friends who showed unwavering support, Kris Turner, Jessica Peck, Joe and Sherry Cabello, Duane and Nancy McKitterick, and Marty and Lora Wallich. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law, Lawrence and Janet Dusseau; grandparents, Ernest and Marguerite Pate and Henry and Idonea Kruse; and a goddaughter, Lauren Hamilton.
Visitation for Mike will be held at the Anderson-Marry Funeral Home in Adrian on Sunday, December 14, 2025, from 2:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 15, 2025, at 11:00 AM, also at the funeral home, with friend Marty Wallich as officiant. Interment will follow in Brookside Cemetery, Tecumseh.
Words of comfort to the family may be offered at www.marryfh.com. Memorial contributions in Mike's memory may be given to https://give.cff.org/michigan/donate?rbref=homepage the Michigan Cystic Fibrosis Chapter.