Ruth Ellen Kruse

Ruth Ellen Kruse, 93, resident of Cottonwood, passed away on Friday, November 30, 2007. She was born to Herbert and Geneva Schwalm on March 30, 1914 in Muscatine, Iowa; where she graduated high school in 1932. Following high school she attended Brown's Business College in Davenport, Iowa. She then became a telephone operator for Northwest Bell. She married William Kruse June 7, 1941 and lost him to a heart attack in 1975. Ruth, her husband, and her mother moved to Jerome in 1958; where they built and operated the A\u0026W Root Beer Stand that is now Tina's Diner for three years. Ruth also worked at the Post Office in Jerome but took her retirement early to care for her mother full-time. She was a tireless and resourceful worker in her efforts to revitalize Jerome in the Community Service Organization and the Historical Society. She created special costumes and produced historical and unusual fashion shows for fund raisers; she enjoyed singing with the Cottonwood Connection. Ruth was a member of Haven United Methodist Church in Jerome; where she also worked tirelessly to keep it alive. In recent years, she was part of the Verde Baptist Church-one of her proudest activities was to hostess a Bible Study in her home for many years. She leaves behind many loving friends and cousins. No local services are planned at this time. Donations can be made in her name and sent to: Verde Valley Christian School; House of Ruth; Catholic Social Services; Verde Baptist Church; or any hospice organization. An online guestbook is available at www.westcottfuneralhome.com