Henry "Hank" J Kruis

Henry “Hank” Kruis, Jr., age 88, of Oostburg passed away Sunday morning, November 19, 2023 at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Sheboygan Falls.

Hank was born May 13, 1935 in Sheboygan to Henry Sr. and Anna (Den Boer) Kruis. He was a 1954 graduate of Sheboygan North High School.

Hank enlisted in the United States Army in 1954 where he was stationed in Germany and France. He was honorably discharged in 1956

On October 27, 1956 he married Frances M. Brusse in Oostburg. They celebrated almost 64 years of marriage before Fran passed away on October 7, 2020.

Hank worked at Mercury Marine and later was employed at Reuel Vending for 30 years until his retirement. After retirement, he worked at Grand Rental Station and Evergreen Pallet.

Hank was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder. He also was a volunteer fireman in Oostburg for 25 years. Hank enjoyed golfing as well as repairing older lawn mowers, snow blowers and old muscle cars with his son Dale, and reselling them.

Hank is survived by his son Dale Kruis of Oostburg; his daughter Jan (Thomas) Ziegler of Sheboygan; five grandchildren: Dawn (Don) Anderson, James Ziegler, Nathaniel Forward, Tiffany Forward and Shannon Kruis; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandsons. He is further survived by his sisters Marion Staley, of IL, Betty Erickson of Sheboygan, La Verne (Elwood) Soerens of Sheboygan Falls, Irene (Don) Schmitt of Sheboygan; sisters-in-law Molly Brusse of Oostburg and Ruth Kruis of Sheboygan Falls; other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Fran, brothers Herman, Lester and Jake, sister Lillian, sisters-in-law Mildren Kruis, Lavon Kruis and Caroline Kruise; brothers-in-law Orville Erickson, Robert Staley, Eugene “Hector” Brusse and Richard Brusse.

A Memorial Service to celebrate Hank’s life will be held at 1:00PM on Friday, November 24, 2023 at Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg with Pastor Brett Daane officiating. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home on Friday from 11:00AM-1:00PM.

He will be laid to rest beside Fran at Oostburg Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice in Hank’s name.

The family would like to thank the staff, especially Allison, at Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their care and compassion.  

Wenig Funeral Home – Oostburg (920-564-2771) is assisting the family with arrangements. Please visit www.wenigfh.com for online condolences.