Constance S. “Connie” Kruse, age 81, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and formerly of Dubuque, passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Friday, July 24, 2026, at home with her loving family.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Dubuque Area East Pastorate, Sacred Heart Church, 2215 Windsor Avenue.  Burial will be in Mt. Calvary Cemetery at a later date.

Connie was born on August 27, 1944, in Dubuque, Iowa, the daughter of Lester “Scoop” and Celestine “Sally” (Schlickman) Butler.

Connie graduated from the Academy of the Visitation, Class of 1962.  She married Robert Kruse on April 30, 1966, in Dubuque and became a devoted wife, mom and homemaker.  Connie always said that her greatest accomplishment was raising her children.  After her own children were grown, Connie went to work at several daycare centers where taking care of the babies was her specialty.  She was a former member of Sacred Heart Church.  She and Bob loved to travel together all over the country.  Trips that included their children and grandchildren were some of Connie’s favorites.  She also had an artistic side and created beautiful ceramic pieces.  She also looked forward to the simple things in life like an ice cold Diet Coke and some Tic Tacs.  Connie was an animal lover and her dogs, Chloe, Zoey and Ella held a special place in her heart.  She was a wonderful woman who was greatly loved and will be deeply missed.

Those left to cherish Connie’s memory include

3 children,
John (Melissa) Kruse, Dubuque, IA.
Sally (Brian) Hlubek, Cedar Rapids, IA,
and Joe (Kate) Kruse, Helena, AL;

10 grandchidren,
Ryan (Liz) Kruse, Kelsey (Geoffrey) Kaiser, Alex (Lauren) Kruse, Allie (Swapnil) Gawde, Carly (Noah) Bix, Robby Hlubek, Jake Kruse, Cameron Kruse, Kyle Kruse and Brandon Kruse;

11 great-grandchildren,
Carver, Kai and Jett Kruse,
Creighten, Beckett, Ambrose, Dorothy and Baby Kaiser due soon,
Fintan and Declan Kruse,
Lincoln Bix
and Turiya Gawde;

her siblings,
Mary Lou (Larry) Feipel, Dubuque, IA,
and Richard (Sandy) Butler, Dubuque, IA;

a sister-in-law,
Patricia “Pat” (Bill) Doerr;

and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Robert Kruse; a granddaughter, Lindsay Kruse; and her siblings, Bonnie (Tom) Villhard, James (Betty) Butler, Thomas (Marilyn) Butler.

Connie’s family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Hospice of Mercy for their kindness and compassionate care.

Cards and memorials in Connie’s memory may be mailed to Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001, Attn. Connie Kruse Family.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.behrfuneralhome.com