Verda M. Kruse, 93, of Fort Branch, IN, passed away at River Oaks Health Campus on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011 in Princeton, IN. She was born to the late William and Anna (Hasselbrinck) Kuester on Feb. 14, 1917 in Fort Branch, IN. Verdie was a member of the St. Lucas United Church of Christ in Fort Branch and was a member of the St. Lucas Guild. She Co-owned the Smart Shop in Fort Branch with her sister Velma Kruse. She loved to quilt, bake, and cook, and she especially loved her grandchildren. Besides her parents, Verdie is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence C. Kruse on Oct. 13, 1960, her brothers Elmer, Raymond, Earl, and Darvin Kuester, and a sister, Viola Graper. She is survived by 3 children, Beth Ann Kruse of Haubstadt, IN, Terry (Mavis) Kruse, and Alan (Nancy) Kruse all of Fort Branch, IN, a sister, Velma Kruse of Fort Branch, IN, a sister in-law, Velma Kuester of Fort Branch, IN, 7 grandchildren, Rick Kruse, Darla Barton, Krista DeVoy, Kent Dix, Kathy Rodgers, Kelly Boes, and Tim Kruse, and 17 great grandchildren. Services for Verdie will be on Friday, Jan. 21, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at the St. Lucas United Church of Christ in Fort Branch with Pastor John Heumann officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011, from 2:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. at the Stodghill Funeral Home located on Hwy. 168 West in Fort Branch, IN. The family request that donations be made to the Memorial Fund for St. Lucas Church.