James Donlyn Kruse, age 86 of Decorah, IA, formerly of Postville, IA, passed away at Northgate Care Center in Waukon, IA on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Jim was born July 16, 1939 in his family’s farm home in rural Luana, IA to LeRoy and Eda (Genz) Kruse. Jim’s struggles came early in life. He spent many of his first years in the University of Iowa Children Hospital to correct club feet. He was baptized and confirmed at St. John Lutheran Church Luana, IA. Jim graduated from Luana High School in 1957.
Jim and Diane (Koth) Kruse married in 1959 at St. Paul Lutheran Church Postville, IA. Four sons were born to this union.
Jim was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Postville and served on many committees. He served as church council president. He later joined Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Decorah. Jim was also a member of Postville Lions Club and served on the Allamakee County Board of Adjustments for 23 years.
The couple farmed for 7 years in the Hardin area. Jim purchased a bulk milk route and enjoyed meeting and working with dairy farmers for 14 years. For several years he was a Farm Service petroleum sales truck driver. Semi trucking for several years led him to his final job at Allamakee Clayton Electric Coop. His leg amputation resulted in his retirement in 1999. Jim admired the simple life, was an avid John Wayne fan, and longtime Iowa Hawkeye fan. Jim was a very patriotic man. He loved to fly the American flag. In later life he read well over 200 western books, assembled many puzzles and was an avid adult colorer. He enjoyed his family and liked to tease the grandchildren with his sarcastic humor.
Jim is survived by his wife, Diane; sons, Kent (Chris)-Postville, Kirk (Lisa)-Castalia, Bradley (Amy)-Solon, IA; nine grandchildren: Kristy and Hector (Lindsay) Salinas, Aaron (special friend, Gretchen) Kruse, Nadine (Kyle) Brock, Marissa (Ben) Kolbeck, Robert (fiancé, Josi Baker) Kruse, Annika (special friend, Randy Jimenez), Keenan (special friend, Hannah Wilkerson), and Beckett Kruse; thirteen great-grandchildren: Sophia and Seth Salinas, Zade, Reed, and Koen Brock, Xander, Renik, and Aleck Martinez, Aven and Auden Kolbeck, Brantley and Baker Kruse and Elijah Even. Also surviving are brother-in-law, Burnell Koth, sisters-in-law, Joann (Steve) Malsed, Helena (Larry) Zweibohmer, and Judy Koth. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Those preceding him in death are parents, LeRoy and Eda (Genz) Kruse; step-mother, Hattie (Woodall) Kruse, parents-in-law, Kenneth and Romilda (Heins) Koth; son, Robert Kruse (deceased 1970); siblings, Virgil Kruse (infant), Leo (Dorothy) Kruse, Eileen (Harold) Mohs, Marvin (LuLu) Kruse, Norman (Georgia) Kruse, and Gene (Gretchen) Kruse; brother-in-law, Keith (Judy) Koth; sister-in-law, Judy (Burnell) Koth; niece, Connie Kruse; nephews, Richard Mohs, Mary (Mohs) Braun, Phillip Kruse, William Kruse, and Summer (Kruse) McDaniel.
I lieu of flowers, memorials in James’ honor may be sent to St Paul Lutheran Improvement Fund, Postville, Iowa or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Decorah.
Funeral Service will be at 1:00 pm on Sunday, May 3, 2026 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville, Iowa with Rev. Lynn Noel as the officiant.
Inurnment will follow at Postville Cemetery, Postville, Iowa.
Schutte-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Postville, Iowa is helping the family with arrangements.