Memorial

Patricia “Patty” Ann Kruse, 67, of Robins, Iowa passed away Sunday, May 3, 2026, at her home after a hard-fought battle with cancer.  

A visitation will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, at the Cedar Memorial Chapel Stateroom. A vigil service will follow the visitation and begin at 7:00PM.  A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at St. Jude Catholic Church. A private graveside service will be held at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery. Patty wished her funeral to be a celebration of life, and asked that people please wear bright spring colors.  

She was born on April 21, 1959, in Queens, NY to Mary Ann and Fenton Costigan, the eldest of four children.  She was raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa with her three brothers, Kevin, Jayme, and Kelly.  She enjoyed spending time on her grandparents' farm with her large extended family, the Lefebure's, in Fairfax.  While working at Earl May she met the love of her life and married Brian Kruse on April 21, 1979.  From humble beginnings, they built something extraordinary together – a loving family, a thriving business, and a legacy underpinned by perseverance and hard work.  

In 1985, with two young girls and a baby boy on the way, Brian and Patty opened UltraLawn, pouring countless hours of grit, determination, and belief into their dream. Through decades of dedication, the company grew and flourished, becoming a testament to the work ethic and vision they shared. Of all their accomplishments, however, nothing made Patty prouder than her family.

She was a devoted mother to their three children – Lesley, Jennifer, and Matthew.  She adored her seven grandchildren, who affectionately call her Nana.  She made it a priority to nurture their love of books—taking them to the library, reading together at home, and making stories come alive with enthusiasm and laughter. It was something she and Brian shared together with great joy.

Among the many books they read, one family favorite stood above the rest: Go, Dog. Go! Brian and Patty read it with dramatic flair and plenty of antics, bringing the story to life in a way that had their grandchildren (and children) giggling and asking to hear it again and again. Those moments—children gathered close, listening and laughing—were some of Patty's happiest.

Patty and Brian shared a remarkable partnership that was evident to everyone who knew them.  In their 47 years of marriage, they were rarely apart. Nearly every day you could find them together on their back porch or sunroom, unwinding after the day and simply enjoying each other’s company.  This routine fueled a lifetime of love, teamwork, and deep friendship.

She was a talented quilter. Quilt camps and weekends spent sewing with her sister-in-law, Lois, were among her favorite pastimes. With Lois’s help, she completed her final quilts.  Her quilts are beautiful works of art that will forever wrap her children and grandchildren in her love.

Her strength and determination were so much a part of who she was that it eventually became a family joke. Over the years, the Kruse family adopted a theme song: I Won’t Back Down. Whenever one of the grandchildren was having a meltdown—or when the family found themselves passionately debating different points of view—someone would inevitably reference the song, turning tension into laughter. It became a lighthearted reminder that every member of the family shared the same stubborn determination and resilient spirit she modeled so well.

After a long and courageous battle with cancer, Patty remained the same strong woman her family always knew—resilient, determined, and full of heart. In true Kruse family fashion, Patty lived with strength, stood her ground, and never backed down.

Her legacy lives on through her three children, Lesley (Jeff) Vossenkemper, Jennifer (Dan Crosby) Kruse, Matthew (Amy) Kruse, and seven grandchildren, Emily Kubik, Jayson Kubik, Owen Crosby, Vivienne Crosby, Margo Crosby, Everett Kruse, and Annabelle Kruse, each of whom carries a piece of her strength and spirit.

She is survived by her loving husband Brian, their three children and their spouses, and seven grandchildren, along with many friends and family whose lives were enriched by knowing her.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary, and her brother Kelly.