Charles A. "Charlie" Kruse

OREGON-Charles A. “Charlie” Kruse, age 82, died on Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2014, at his home. He was born in Madison, on July 31, 1931, to Herbert C. and Isabelle (Beyer) Kruse, both of whom preceded him in death. Charlie graduated from Madison East High School in 1949. He enlisted in the Air National Guard and was on active duty during the Korean War. On Oct. 10, 1953, he married Dorothy Amera of Madison. Charlie was president and owner of General Heating and Air Conditioning for 30 years before retiring in 1993. He served as president of the Mechanical Contractors of Wisconsin and was elected to the Board of Managers of the Mechanical Equipment Service Contractors of America. Charlie was a member of Lake Edge United Church of Christ, Madison. He was also a charter member and past president of the Madison South Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. After retiring, he served two years as president of Rolling Meadows Senior Housing Development in Oregon and was a member and instructor for the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Wisconsin DNR. Woodworking became a hobby and he built doll cradles for his granddaughters, toy chests for his grandsons, special intarsia pieces for family members and many pieces of furniture for his home. Charlie also won several awards over the years for his photography. Monday morning was his day to get together with friends at the Stoughton Conservation Club to shoot clay pigeons and solve the world’s problems. He loved spending winters in Florida, boating in Charlotte Harbor, hunting in the north woods and fishing with his wife, Dorothy on the Flambeau River where they had a cottage for over 40 years. He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; four children, Chuck, Kari Correia, Steve and Marie (Steve) Olson; 10 grandchildren, Angie (Shawn) Westphal, Whitney and Sam Correia, Taylor, Amera and Olivia Olson, Michelle (Greg) Meyer, Jackie (Jeff) Maldari , Elizabeth (Dan) Hancock and Charles Kruse; great-grandchildren, Alex, Kristen, Claire and Will Meyer, Brianna and Jeffrey Maldari and Leyna and Steven Charles Westphal. He is also survived by one sister, Caryl (Wayne) Ligler, sisters-in-law, Phyllis Engelhart, Eunice (Ardell) Cardarelle, Mary (Jule) Schmaltz; brother-in-law, Chuck (Ann) Amera; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by a grandson, Steven Kruse; his oldest sister, Jeannine Thompson; and brother-in-law, Clarence Thompson. Honoring his wishes, no visitation or funeral will be held. Memorials may be directed to Agrace HospiceCare, 5395 E. Cheryl Parkway, Madison, Wis., 53711, Lake Edge United Church of Christ, 4200 Buckeye Rd., Madison, Wis., 53716 and the Stoughton Conservation Club, 984 Collins Road, Stoughton, Wis., 53589. On-line condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson Oregon Funeral & Cremation Care 1150 Park Street (608)835-3515