Bethene "Beth" P. Kruse, age 81of Blair passed away peacefully on July 10, 2025, at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Neb., surrounded by her family. Memorial services will be held Wednesday July 16, 2025, at 10:30AM at First United Methodist Church in Blair. A luncheon will follow services at the church. Graveside services will be held at 2:30PM at the Woodbine Cemetery in Woodbine. Visitation will be held Tuesday July 15, 2025, at Campbell Aman Funeral Home in Blair, with family receiving friends from 6-8 PM.
Bethene was born on April 2, 1944, on the family farm in rural Woodbine, the daughter of Fay and Pearle Hutcheson. She attended country school and later graduated from Woodbine High School in 1961. After high school she worked at First National Bank of Woodbine and later for Nebraska Iowa Supply where she met the love of her life Gary Kruse. On Dec. 21, 1968, she was united in marriage to Gary. The couple made their home in Blair. After raising their children she began working for Blair Community Schools as a teacher's aide for over 20 years. Following her time with the schools she worked at Blair West Pharmacy before retiring. In their retirement, she and Gary enjoyed attending southern gospel concerts, numerous bus trips, flea markets, auctions and garage sales. Bethene was an avid plant enthusiast, having rescued and nurtured hundreds of plants over the years. She and Gary spent many hours enjoying and maintaining the family farm in Woodbine. Bethene deeply loved her family and was proud of them all.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years Gary; children, Karen (Kevin) Johnson, Lisa (John) Bowen, Trisha (Ron) Clark; grandchildren, Tyler, Nicholas and MacKenzie Johnson, Jackson and Davis Clark. She is also survived by her brothers, Norman (Joan) Hutcheson and Eldon (Ann) Hutcheson; sister-in-law, Diana Hutcheson; along with nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; son, Tim Kruse; and brother, Bill Hutcheson.
Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church in Blair or the Jeannette Hunt Blair Animal Shelter.
Services by Campbell Aman Funeral Home, Blair, NE www.campbellaman.com
