BOONE, Iowa—Lila JoAnn Kruse, 80, of Boone, Iowa, passed away on Monday, November 20, 2023, at her home in Boone. She was born in Boone, Iowa on April 3, 1943, the daughter of Joe and Ruth (Toepfer) Lestina. Lila graduated from United High School. On November 26, 1960, she married Daryl Kruse in Omaha, Nebraska.
Lila was the City Clerk in Boone for many years. After her retirement, she was then a City Council member in Boone. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone and enjoyed singing in the choir. Lila also sang at weddings and funerals. She enjoyed cooking and even won the Betty Crocker of the Year award. She also enjoyed flower gardening, watching the Iowa Hawkeyes, Kansas City Chiefs, attending car races, and her Peon parties with Ann, Sue, and Kay. Lila loved Twinkies, peanut M&M’s, and sunbathing. But above all else, she loved being a wife, mother, and grandmother.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Ruth Lestina, and three brothers, George Lestina, Art Lestina, and Richard Lestina.
Lila is survived by her husband, Daryl Kruse of Boone, IA; children: Mike (Jill) Kruse of Ames, IA, Pat (Michelle) Kruse of Gowrie, IA, Toby (Dianna) Kruse of Boone, IA, and Toni Kruse of Boone, IA; grandchildren: Danielle (JD) Wonderly, Lindsay (Cody) Medearis, Kennedy Kruse, Kayden Kruse, Kolson Kruse, Emma Kruse, Raney Kruse, Bowen Kruse, Colby Johnson, and Chloe Johnson; great-grandchildren: Ellie and Ruby Wonderly, Charlie Fitzgerald, and Patrick Medearis.
Visitation with the family present to greet friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone. Visitation will resume Monday morning from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Memorial services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 27, 2023, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone, with Pastor Jessten Heimer officiating. Interment will be at Linwood Park Cemetery in Boone following the memorial service. Lunch and a time of fellowship will be at the Trinity Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall following the committal service at Linwood Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be directed to Trinity Lutheran Church in Boone.
Online condolences may be left at www.schroederfuneral.com
Schroeder-Stark-Welin Funeral Home, 609 7th Street, Boone, Iowa is assisting the family with these arrangements.
