Susan Kruse, age 74, of Auburn, Nebraska, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Good Samaritan Society-Auburn. To know Susan was to know someone who made everything around her more beautiful.
Susan was born November 20, 1951, in Sidney, Nebraska, to Charlyn (Hagemeister) and Bennie Herboldsheimer. She grew up the third of four children on the family’s 2,200-acre wheat farm seven miles south of Potter, Nebraska. She enjoyed a childhood rich with wide open skies, road trips, beloved cousins, and more than a few memorable hijinks with her younger brother, Steven. Those early years shaped her into someone who was hardworking, creative, deeply rooted in family, and a bit ornery.
Susan graduated from Potter High School in 1970, the same year she was crowned Nebraska Wheat Queen — a title that suited her perfectly. She went on to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she joined Gamma Phi Beta sorority and built friendships that would last a lifetime. She graduated in 1973 with a degree in Home Economics Education and Extension.
On January 4, 1974, she married the love of her life, Darrell Kruse. Together they built a beautiful life across southeast Nebraska. The couple resided first in Lincoln, then Humboldt, Falls City, and eventually Auburn, where they put down deep roots in 1989.
Susan stood faithfully by Darrell’s side through his health challenges in their later years, never wavering in her devotion to him. They were blessed by 52 years of marriage. In 2024, they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their daughters and grandchildren with a memorable vacation in Estes Park, Colorado where they had honeymooned.
Susan had a career as colorful and creative as she was. She served as a Nebraska Extension Home Economist across Richardson, Pawnee, Nemaha, and Johnson counties, and later owned and operated Ultra Stitches, her own custom drapery and home interior business, for more than 20 years. She touched countless homes — and made countless friends — through that work. In her later years, she brought her warmth and playfulness to the children at Trinity Lutheran Preschool, where she was exactly the kind of teacher every child deserves.
But if you asked Susan where she shined brightest, she would have said at home with her girls. She was a mother who never said no to making a mess if it meant making a memory. Cardboard forts, crafts, dress up, paint and more. She poured herself into motherhood without reservation. She never missed a volleyball game, a swim meet, golf match, a school performance, or a speech competition. She was always there.
Her Christmas cookie baking was nothing short of legendary — a multi-day production that she made sure her daughters understood was meant to be shared with neighbors and friends. She created holiday magic like it was her calling, because for her, it was. As long as the girls were willing, she made them matching dresses for holidays like Christmas and Easter.
Susan was an extraordinary artist. Her quilting was known throughout the region, earning her ribbons and awards at county fairs and the Nebraska State Fair, including a first-place finish for her hand-appliquéd miniature wall quilt she titled “Puddy’s on My Quilt” which was a loving tribute to her cat, Pudd. She blessed many people over the years with handmade table runners and lap quilts made with her own two hands and a whole lot of love.
Susan had a gift of making special celebrations even more special. When Kristin got married, she sewed the bridesmaid dresses. When Sarah graduated college, she made her an incredible quilt of the periodic table in honor of Sarah’s chemistry major.
Susan was a woman of deep faith and generous community spirit. She was active in her church throughout her life by singing in the choir, leading Sunday school, participating in women’s Bible study, and helping with vacation Bible school and Christmas programs. She was a founding member of the Prayers & Quilts group, a member of the Heritage Needlework Guild, Kiwanis Club, and Toastmasters, and sang with the Sweet Adelines barbershop group in Falls City. She gave of herself freely and without keeping score — to her church, her neighbors, her friends, and most tenderly, to her own mother, Charlyn, whom she cared for in her final years.
Her faith was steadfast, and the greatest comfort to those who are missing her now is knowing she is exactly where she always believed she would be: reunited with God, with Jesus, and with the loved ones who went before her. That faith was one of the greatest gifts she passed on to her daughters and grandchildren, and it will carry forward in all of them.
Susan is survived by her husband, Darrell Kruse of Auburn; her daughters and sons-in-law, Kristin and Casey Tyler of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Sarah and Edward Ibinson Jr. of King George, Virginia; her grandchildren, Henry and Quinn Tyler, and Eleanor and Edward Ibinson III; her sister, Patrice (Mike) Egging of Pratt, Kansas; sister-in-law Lori (Kent) Evers of Beatrice; brothers-in-law Steven (Terri) Kruse and Timothy (Angela) Kruse, both of Beatrice; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Alicia Eagan; her brother, Steven Herboldsheimer; and her niece, Mendi Cotter.
A funeral service was held June 5, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Auburn, officiated by Rev. Jackie Gfeller. Edith Schlange played accompaniment for congregational hymns led by Ron Heskett. Blaine Eagan, Matt Egging, Patrick Egging, Luke Egging, Lynette Freeman, and Kevin Hamm served as casket bearers. Burial took place in Steele Cemetery at Falls City.
Services were entrusted to Hemmingsen Funeral Home of Auburn.
