Elaine Kruse

Elaine Durst Kruse got her wish to go sing with Jesus on February 16, 2021, at the age of 86. She was born on November 16, 1934 in Brady, Texas to George & Margaret Loth Durst. She spent her childhood and early adult life in Mason, Texas and loved to return there for visits and Kruse family reunions. Elaine married Buddy Kruse on January 28, 1956 in Mason and together they had five children. In 1963, the couple moved to Batesville, Texas where Elaine continued to raise her children and work part-time at the Batesville Post Office, making life-long friendships during her time there. In December, 1975 she moved to Uvalde where she resided until her death.

Elaine began work at Mason National Bank during her high school years and later continued a banking career in Uvalde. She worked for many years at The Uvalde Bank and later at First Bank of Uvalde. She had many fond memories of her co-workers and friends at both places.

Elaine loved God, family, and sports, all in that order. She had a deep, abiding faith that carried her through many difficult times. She was affectionately known as “Grandma” to many friends and co-workers, not just to those in her family. She will always be remembered for her beautiful singing voice and for her amazing cooking skills; particularly for her enchiladas, her peanut brittle and her buttermilk pies.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, an infant brother Andrew James “AJ” Durst, her sister Dorothy Durst McWilliams, and two grandsons, Michael Mumme and Caleb Kruse.  She is survived by her five children, Don Kruse of Crystal City, Lisa Mumme and husband Sherman of Uvalde, Sandi Nelson and husband Gary of Mont Believu, Jo-Anna Kruse of Uvalde, and Ray Kruse and wife Sherri of Dayton; ten grandchildren, John Kruse of Kennewick, Washington, Jessica Stevens and husband Nick of League City, Trish Joseph and husband Joel of Mont Believu, Kim Short and husband Stephen of Dayton, Ray Nelson and wife Sydni of Mont Believu, James Kruse and wife Macie of San Antonio, Kendra Smith and husband Jared of Wallisville, Matthew Mumme of Amarillo, Nicholas Mumme of San Marcos  and Bryden Kruse of Waco; eleven great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, all of whom she loved dearly. She also leaves behind her two precious and loving caregivers, Megan Laffere and Elia Fernandez.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 6, 2021 at Baptist Temple Church in Uvalde, Texas at 1:00 p.m. The service will also be streamed live on the church’s Facebook page. For the safety of all those in attendance, the family is requesting all attendees wear masks and social distance.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Baptist Temple Church, 620 E. Main, Uvalde, TX  78801, or the charity of one’s choice.