Velma Kruse

Velma E. Kruse, 82, of Great Falls, died Monday, March 17, 2014.No services are being planned at her request. Cremation has taken place under the direction of Schnider Funeral Home.Velma was born on November 11, 1931 to Everest and Hazel (Buck) Dorr. She was educated in Great Falls, graduating from Great Falls High School. She married Donald F. Kruse in Great Falls in 1949, making the Great Falls area, their home. Donald passed away December 24, 2006.She had been employed at Osco Drug, Montana Plumbing, and Kress. For many years she did sewing for the family as well as others. Velma had sewed many of the clothes for the bears for the Montana Hope Project for the Highway Patrol.Velma was a member of the Eagles in Great Falls and Moose Lodge Auxiliary in Kalispell. She enjoyed gardening, gathering driftwood and rocks. Her love was sewing.She is survived by her sons, Erling Kruse of Great Falls, Allan Kruse of Pincher Creek, AB, Canada, Bradley Kruse of Ulm, and Rodney Kruse of Kalispell; brothers and sisters, Winston Dorr of Great Falls, Marcelene Howard of Miles City, Laverne Knowles of Great Falls, Lila Jones of Neihart, and Terry Dorr of Maryland; 10 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; and several great great-grandchildren.Velma was preceded in death by her husband; parents; a brother Vernon Dorr; and daughter-in-law Joan.