Obituary of Armonda "Mondie" J. Kruse

Armonda “Mondie” J Kruse left her earthly body and went home to be with her Savior on Tuesday October 22, 2019 with her loving family by her side after a year-long courageous battle with cancer.

Mondie was born on May 19, 1958 in Cincinnati, Ohio to Armond and Jacqueline Lemke. They later moved to Lansing, Michigan and then to Duluth, Minnesota. Mondie graduated from Duluth Central High School in 1976 where she was a member of the Little Mob. She attended UMD for a short period of time when she realized she had a calling to share her love of God with others. She attended the Salvation Army School for Officer’s Training where she met the love of her life, Wes. They were married on January 10, 1980 and together they had five beautiful children and four grandchildren. She and Wes enjoyed their Saturday morning breakfasts together, rummage sale adventures, and co-directing plays together.

Mondie worked for Essentia Health St Mary’s as a switchboard operator and then worked in scheduling/registration until her retirement on September 30, 2019. Mondie loved to praise her Lord! She played the piano as an accompanist for multiple churches. She was a member of the Superior Singers Choir, directed many choirs as well as being music director for multiple theater productions. She spent many years teaching music to youth at the Salvation Army Music Camp in Finlayson, Minnesota.

Mondie was preceded in death by both her maternal and paternal grandparents, her father; Armond Lemke, and mother; Jacqueline “Jackie” Feltham.

Mondie is survived by her husband of 39 years Wes Kruse, children Aaron (Sarah) Kruse, Jordan (April) Kruse, Nate (Candi Smith) Kruse, Jessica Kruse, and Brianna Kruse. Grandchildren; LillyAnne, Inara, Mia, and Izzabella, stepfather Robert Feltham, siblings Loren Lemke, Larry (Brenda) Lemke, Rhonda Bolin, and Jason Feltham, niece Emily Bolin and nephew Luc Bolin, and goddaughters Jade and Jasmine Goodiel.

Mondie was truly an angel on Earth. She was kind to everyone she met, and inspired others by her love, compassion, and her many talents. Mondie’s favorite saying was “Be a blessing”. She was our GREATEST BLESSING.

A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, November 17, 2019 in the Barker’s Island ballroom located at 300 Marina Drive, Superior WI. Visitation with the family will begin at 1:00pm with the Celebration of Life Service at 2:00pm. All monetary donations will be made to Uterine Cancer Research in her name.