Karen (Kosman) Kruse

Karen Kruse, 79, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Thursday March 19, 2026 at home in Woodstock Il.

Karen was born on January 8, 1947 in Chicago, IL. The daughter of Melvin C. Kosman and Adelaide (Schneider) Kosman.

She married Charles Kruse on September 28, 1968 at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Harvard. She was a long-time member of St. Paul and served many roles there, among them Sunday and Midweek school teacher, leader for the youth group and on the alter guild.

Karen worked in accounting first at RAE Corp in McHenry IL. Then at The Richmond Burton School Dist. retiring from there in 2013.

Her primary focus in life was always whatever activities her children and grandchildren were involved in. One of her greatest pleasures was to teach her children and grandchildren different card and dice games and playing with them. Karen enjoyed making and decorating cakes and other baked goods for the many birthday and celebratory occasions enjoyed by her family. She was a Stampin ‘up demonstrator and enjoyed creating the many personalized cards and gift items for family and friends.

 Karen is survived and will be missed by her husband, Chuck; children Kurt Kruse, Karla (Brent) Stewart, Kevin (MaryJo) Kruse; and grandchildren Dylan, Micah, Andrew, Isaac; step grandchildren Alex, Seth, Aaron; her brother Randy (Joan) Kosman; sister in-laws Jan Sherwin, Phyllis (Jack) Fisher and Dar Kruse; as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins

She was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws and several brother in-laws. 

Visitation will be on Thursday, March 26, 2026 from 10 AM until the service at noon at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1601 Garfield Rd., Harvard, IL 60033. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or the charity of your choice.