Eliza Rose (Pumphrey) Kruse

Eliza Rose Kruse, 98, of Fort Branch passed peacefully holding her daughter’s hand, on February 22, 2020 at River Oaks in Princeton.

She was born January 22, 1922, to the late Zenas and Florence (Bayer) Pumphrey. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Wilfred (Fritz) Kruse in 2004, Brother Olen Pumphrey in 2009, and best friend Rocky in 2017.  Eliza Rose was the perfect farm wife, married to Fritz in 1946, and pitching in wherever necessary to support her devoted husband on the family farm.  From gleaning corn to birthing lambs she faithfully and happily labored beside the love of her life.  She enjoyed working in her garden, canning vegetables, sewing, and letting absolutely nothing go to waste.  She was a loving mother and grandmother, a lifelong member of the Fort Branch Presbyterian Church, and expert cook, artist, Sunday school teacher, snake fearer and backup “mama” to her much loved and loving granddaughters.

Eliza Rose is survived by her daughter, Karen (Irwin) Etcovitch, of Fort Branch and Waterloo Ontario; granddaughters, Sarah (Tom) Richardson of Fort Branch and Emily (Michael) Gardner, of Boonville; three  great-grandchildren, Macy and Zachary Carter, and Ethan Gardner; and sister-in-law Inez Pumphrey.  In addition, she was blessed with three step great-grandchildren: Preston Lockwood, and Tom and Cecilia Richardson.  Her pride of family was unparalleled.  She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

The family will receive friends from 4 pm to 7 pm Tuesday, 2/25 at Stodghill Funeral Home in Fort Branch and again from 10 am to service time on Wednesday 2/26.  Services will be 11 am Wednesday, 2/26 with burial immediately thereafter at Walnut Hill Cemetery. 

The family would like to thank Keisha Willett, Kim Hutton, Michelle Fauquher and staff at River Oaks, Drs Peck and Burry of ESA, and Deaconess Hospice for their kindness, assistance and care.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gibson County Animal Services.   

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eliza Rose (Pumphrey) Kruse, please visit our floral store.