Esther Lynette (Moore) Kruse, 55, went home to be with Jesus on Sunday, September 27, 2009, at Brookview Manor in Brookings after battling brain cancer for 11 months. Funeral services will be 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at Brookings Wesleyan Church with Pastor Tim Purcell and Pastor Clarence Grebner officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 P.M. Tuesday at Eidsness Funeral Home. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery at Brookings.
Esther was born March 31, 1954, to William J. (Joe) Moore, Sr. and Allie Moore in Dumas, Texas. She and her family moved to Brookings in 1957. She accepted the Lord as her personal savior as a child. Esther graduated from Brookings High School in 1972. She attended USD in Vermillion and graduated in 1977 with a degree in nursing. She worked as a registered nurse at Brookings Hospital for 14 years. Esther then attended USD in Vermillion and graduated in 1992 with a degree in dental hygiene. She worked as a dental hygienist for 16 years at several local dental offices..
On August 18, 1973, Esther was united in marriage with Ronald Kruse. They lived in Yankton, South Dakota, from 1973 to 1977 when they returned to Brookings. They were faithfully married for 36 years.
Esther was a member of Brookings Wesleyan Church since 1991, and enjoyed attending and hosting Bible studies with her husband. She also enjoyed her family and friends. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She enthusiastically loved them by visiting them, taking pictures of them, and cuddling them. Esther also was a wonderful cook and specialized in lattice topped cherry pies with homemade crusts. Even to the end, she enjoyed Camaro rides with Ron.
Survivors include her husband, Ron, of Brookings; two daughters: Amy (Charlie) Collins of Yukon, OK, and Rhonda (Jon) Weiss of Omaha, NE; six grandchildren: Brandy, Brandon, Cody, and Isaac Collins, and Owen and Corey Weiss; one brother: W. Joe (Deb) Moore of Brookings; two sisters: Carol (Richard) Motter of Elkton, SD, and Allie Jo (Mike) Lano of Kearney, NE; and two brothers-in-law: Dwayne (Eloise) Kruse, of Brookings, SD, and Eugene Tuttle, of Lincoln, NE; three sisters-in-law: Verna (David) Hicks, of White, SD, Ramona Kruse, of Lincoln, NE, and Velda Kruse, of Brookings, SD; and many nieces and nephews.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents.
Memorials may be directed to Gideons International or Brookings Wesleyan Church building fund.