Obituary: James Kruse

James Kruse

After nine months battling cancer, James (Jim) Kruse, 45, passed away August 12, 2022.

Born in Duluth, Minn., he grew up in South St. Paul, graduating from SSP High School.

A true entrepreneur, James started his first business, Pathways to Community (PTC) at age 19. With vision and creativity, he built PTC from a single group home serving developmentally disabled adults to a company of more than 250 employees. Even while battling cancer, he was pursuing two new business ventures.

To approach something half-way was not in his DNA. Whether running businesses, traveling the world, or competing in physique contests, James went all-in; but his most important adventure was his three children. He wanted them to have the same opportunities to live life to the fullest.

Ultimately, cancer robbed James of continuing to embrace all that he loved, but he never lost sight of his blessings: family, friends, and the resources to fight his disease. Understanding the drain on resources, that cancer can cause, James became deeply concerned about people who have cancer without those supports.

Knowing his concern and to honor his generous and compassionate spirit, we invite you to join us with a memorial donation to the Angel Foundation (mnangel.org). This non-profit provides grants to area families who are experiencing financial stress because an adult family member is fighting cancer.

James is survived by his children, Rindy and Kellan Kruse, their mother, Jessica Kruse; Aetreus Kendall, and his mother, Kristine Wendland; parents, Gregory (Mary Morehouse) Kruse and Virginia (Larry) Rudolph; sister, Anne-Marie (Mark) Ericson; step-siblings; uncle, Edward (Tuula Harris) Kass; aunt, VeDonna Feld; cousin, Renae Kass; and nine nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life was held Sunday, August 28 at Augustana Lutheran Church, 1400 South Robert Street, West St. Paul, Minn. Visitation was at 1:00 p.m. with celebration service at 2:00 p.m. Food, fellowship and sharing stories were held immediately after the service.