Josephine A. Kruse, 89, of Breese, died Thursday, July 29, 2010 at Breese Nursing Home in Breese. She was born September 14, 1920 in Bartelso, daughter of Frank and Clara (Henrichs) Ribbing. She married Wilbert G. "Wib" Kruse on July 20, 1949 in Breese and he preceded her in death on March 8, 2001.

She is survived by cousins, Agnes (Popeye) Korte of St. Rose, Nancy (Joe) Schwierjohn of Highland, and Dan Korte of St. Louis, MO; sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Dorothy Meyer of St. Louis, MO, Florence & Laverne Ilges, Mary Schadegg, and Alvina Kruse, all of Breese, and Rita Poelker; also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister, Leona Eilers; a brother, Gregory G. "Giggles" Ribbing; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Norbert Eilers, Frank Meyer, Marcellus "Bud" Rolfingsmeyer, Marcella Rolfingsmeyer, Charles Schadegg, George Poelker, Ralph Kruse, Alvina & Charles Scott,
and Al Poelker.

Mrs. Kruse was a factory worker at Emerson Electric. She was a member of St. Augustine Parish and the American Legion Auxiliary Post 252 of Breese.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 31, 2010 at St. Augustine Church in Breese with Rev. Vincent Haselhorst officiating. Burial will follow at St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery in Breese.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Friday, July 30, 2010 and from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. Saturday, July 31, 2010 at Hempen Funeral Home in Breese. The American Legion Auxiliary will visit at 7 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Heartland Hospice or to Breese Nursing Home Activity Fund and will be received at the funeral home.