Kruse, John Bernard “Bernie”

John Bernard (Bernie) Kruse, 74, of Birchwood Village, Minnesota, died June 9, 2025, of Alzheimer’s Disease. He leaves behind a loving family: his wife of fifty years, Judith Alnes; their children, Andrew (Stefanie) Kruse and Laura (Eric) Mazzocco; and grandchildren Kennedy, Landon, and Harrison Kruse, and Miles Mazzocco, all of Mahtomedi, MN. He is also survived by his sister, Judith Cross, and her family in Indio, CA.

Bernie was born on January 10, 1951, and raised in Duluth, MN. As a teenager, he spent his summers working on the ore boats that sailed the Great Lakes. These experiences deepened his love for the outdoors and created lasting memories.

After earning his degree from the University of Minnesota in 1974, Bernie built a career in computer services at Unisys Corporation. He brought a love of learning and determination to his work, qualities that showed up in everything he did.

Service to others was important to Bernie. He was a deacon at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis and a member of the Befriender Ministry. In retirement, he found immense joy volunteering at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center and The Raptor Center, where he cared compassionately for injured birds and animals.

Bernie was perpetually in motion. He hiked, skied, biked, and raced sailboats with enthusiasm. He earned the nickname “Bullet” for his speed while biking across Iowa in RAGBRAI. Bernie never stood still for long unless it was to chat with a neighbor or read a good mystery.

More than anything else, Bernie cherished spending time with his family at home on White Bear Lake and on trips to the North Shore, the Gunflint Trail, and mountain ski resorts. He was an avid cook who loved making meals for his family on his smoker nicknamed “The Locomotive.”

We are deeply grateful to the wonderful staff at Heart to Home, who cared for Bernie with skill and compassion during the final months of his life. We also thank our family, friends and neighbors, whose kindness and steady support meant so much to us as Bernie’s health declined.

Memorials are preferred to the Raptor Center Fund at the University of Minnesota, 1920 Fitch Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 12701 Whitewater Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343.

A gathering to celebrate Bernie’s life will be Thursday, July 10, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 at The Boatworks Commons Community Room, 4495 Lake Avenue South, White Bear Lake, MN.