Kenneth Randall Kruse, 67, Minot, died Wednesday February 21, 2018, in his home.

Ken was born September 4, 1950, in Holyoke, CO to Verne and Dorothy (Schmelling) Kruse. At an early age, he moved to Minot where he would spend the remainder of his life. Ken graduated from Minot High School in 1968 and attended Minot State University for a year.

Ken was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Barbara Silseth on February 7, 1970 at First Lutheran Church in Minot. They were blessed with four children, who blessed them later in life with their beloved grandchildren, who Ken adored with his whole heart.

Ken was a business man plain and simple and his partner was his wife Barb. They owned and operated a number of gas stations in the community beginning in 1976 with Ken's Amoco South. Kari's NW Standard and Kristi's Kwik Stop Standard soon followed operating for many years in the community. Ken had an interest in many buildings in the community, which he remodeled and made them a fit for office space. Ken also operated Kruse's Truck Stop Standard and Repair with his father Verne for a number of years. Ken came home in 1990 with a limousine. This began Luxury Limousine, which grew to a fleet of 5 limos and operated until 1998. Ken's latest interests included Kruse Auto Sales and the operation of Kruse Body Shop alongside his son Kendall.

Ken was a member of First Lutheran Church, Minot and the Minot Y's Men's Club. He served as a Ward County Commissioner from 1984 to 1985. He had an undeniable passion for golf and softball, sponsoring many teams and playing in numerous tournaments over the years. He will be missed most by those who knew him as a son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and dear friend.

Ken's family includes his loving wife of 48 years, Barbara Kruse, Minot; children, Kristin (Brad) Korgel, Minot, Kari (Jason) Peterson, D.D.S, South Haven, MN, Kendall (Shaila) Kruse, Minot and Katrina (Jamie) Scherber, St. Michael, MN; grandchildren, Alyssa and Zachary Korgel, Lucas and Owen Peterson, Phoenix and Vada Kruse and Payton, Elise, Easton and Parker Scherber; mother, Dorothy Kruse, Minot; brother, Dennis (Sharon) Kruse, Colorado Springs, CO; aunt, Sharon Wylie, Miami, FL along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Verne Kruse, sister, Vicki Kruse and grandparents, Fletcher and Bessie Kruse and Sophus and Carol Schmelling.

Celebration of Life Service: 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 26, 2018, at First Lutheran Church, Minot.
Interment: Rosehill Memorial Park, Minot, ND
Visitation will be held Sunday, February 25, 2018, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Thomas Family Funeral Home, Minot.