Richard T. Kruske

Richard Thomas Kruske peacefully passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, August 22, 2025.

Richard was born on July 8, 1932, to Loretta (nee Malloy) and Thomas Kruske. He was the third of their eight children and the first son. He spent his childhood on the south side of Milwaukee.At the age of 17, Richard joined the Army and after basic training was promised an assignment in Germany. Unfortunately plans changed; he and his shipmates were sent to Korea to be among the first to fight the North Koreans. Richard was wounded in battle which earned him a Purple Heart. While he was in Korea, a young nurse began writing him letters and when he returned to the United States, he finally met his future bride face-to-face.Richard and Marilyn (nee Harris) were married November 14, 1953, eventually purchasing a home in Greenfield. They lived there for 46 years, raising their three children, Richard, Paula and Thomas.After returning from Korea, Richard tried his hand at multiple careers before honing his expert skills as a floor layer. He founded Kruske Floor Service, which he successfully owned and operated for over thirty years.Richard and Marilyn loved to travel and visited most of the 50 United States, including Alaska, where they visited their son, Tom, and Hawaii, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Richard and Marilyn were happily married for 66 years. When Marilyn died in 2020, Richard lost his best friend.Richard loved animals of all kinds, especially dogs. He and Marilyn had dogs for most of their married life together, including three named Zeke. He often had a pocket full of dog treats when visiting family and friends or just taking a walk. Richard also enjoyed participating in sports pools, playing cribbage, spending time with his granddaughters, visiting Rich and Barb's cabin up north, and indulging in desserts and casinos.

Richard is survived by his sons, Richard (Barbara) and Thomas (Susan), and granddaughters, Michele Frances and Sarah Slifka (Matthew). He is also survived by siblings Darlene Klein (John, deceased), Loretta Shiller (Richard, deceased), Sandy Contardi Rice (Robert, deceased), Patricia Corrao (Sal), Attilio Contardi (Jan); brother- and sister-in-law, Paul and Elisa Irvine, and many nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn; daughter, Paula; grandson, Adam; sisters, Marilyn LaVesser (James) and Sandy Pelligrino (William) and brother- and sister-in-law, Fredrick and Pat Harris.The family would like to thank the entire VA staff for the exceptional care that was given to Richard during his stay.

Memorial Visitation will be on Thursday, September 4, 2025, 3:00-5:00 PM at Prasser-Kleczka Funeral Home, South Suburban Chapel, 6080 S. 27th Street, Milwaukee. Memorial Service at 5:00 PM, followed by military honors. Committal Services will be on Friday, September 5, 2025, 11:00 AM at Good Hope Cemetery (pleease meet at cemetery office) in Greenfield.