Gladiola Louise (Martin) Kruse went to her eternal home Monday, April 3, 2023.
Gladiola was born Sept. 29, 1929, at home in Taylor, to Raymond Lee Martin and Ottilie Martha (Herklotz) Martin.
She was received into God’s Kingdom of Grace in the Sacrament of Holy Baptism Nov. 5, 1940, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor with Pastor A.D. Rode officiating.
Her baptism verse was Deuteronomy 6:6-7.
Gladiola made sincere profession of her holy faith in the Rite of Confirmation April 18, 1943, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor under Pastor A.D. Rode. Her confirmation verse was Isaiah 41:10.
She attended Taylor public schools. She was a member of the Choral Club and the band, where she played the glockenspiel. After graduation in May 1947, she was a receptionist and insurance clerk at Johns Clinic, which was then located on West Sixth Street.
In 1956, she worked as a receptionist at Taylor Williamson County Health Department. In April 1958, Gladiola and Leland opened their own electrical business, Leland Kruse Electric Service, with Gladiola as the bookkeeper.
In 2010, at the age of 80, Leland and Gladiola retired and sold the business to Kelly and Penny, their son and daughter-in-law, who continue to own and operate Kruse Electric.
Two dedicated brothers, Douglas and Michael Urbanek, began working for Leland in the late 60s, early 70s. Douglas has retired, but Michael continues working for the business.
On Reformation Sunday, Oct. 31, 1954, Gladiola was united in holy matrimony to the love of her life, Leland Kenneth Kruse at St.
Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor with Rev. Roald Braulick officiating. This union was blessed by three children, Sheila Lynn, Kelly Dean and Rhonda Ann.
Family was very important to Gladiola, especially during family get togethers. When the family went out of state on vacations, they would stay at KOA campsites. As the children were in Scouts, this worked out great.
They would pitch a tent and also prepare their own meals. Then, when the grandchildren came along she took care of four of them when they were small. When the grandchildren became school age, they looked forward each year to spring break. One day of spring break, she would pack a lunch and take the grandchildren and their mothers on an educational trip. The day usually ended by going to Dairy Queen for ice cream.
Gladiola was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor since 1940. For many years, she played the piano and organ, taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School and served on many committees. For several years, she played for weddings and also served as part-time organist for funerals at Condra Funeral Home and St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
In January 1965, together with Juneva Randig, they started a Sunday school class for the two year olds. She also enjoyed being a piano accompanist for Shirley Evans and Lydia Burow when they would sing at many club meetings and functions.
When she and Leland were younger, each year they would plant a large garden at the farm. At harvest time, it was a joy to do the canning and preparing produce.
She also liked to work in the flower beds until she had double-knee replacements and hip replacement.
When the children were little, she would sew all of their clothing including Barbie clothes for the girls. She also liked to crochet, crocheting herself and each of her children large tablecloths. She crocheted over 100 afghans and scarves. She then started working on genealogy and compiling history of many families.
She and Leland enjoyed being a member of the “42 Supper Club,” where they had a meal and then played dominos.
She had a big surprise on her 90th birthday. All her family had gotten together, practiced on the hand bells and played the Prelude in church. Her grandson, Kenneth, directed the bell choir for the song.
Gladiola was preceded in death by her husband of 63 and a half years, her parents, her brothers, Amos Lee Martin and Curtis Glenn (Jeanette) Martin; her sister-in-law and her husband, LaVerne (Ervin) Steger; her brothers-in-law and their wives, Delwood (Florence) Kruse, Weldon (Martha) Kruse, Wilburn (Bernice) Kruse and John Simank.
She is survived by her children and their spouses, Sheila Bullock (Mel), Kelly Kruse (Penny) and Rhonda Ochoa (Ray).
Grandchildren are Amanda Lynn Bullock Elson (Shelby), Colbey Blake Bullock (Jennifer), Sydnee Nicole Bullock Best (Levi), Alysha D’Ann Kruse, Jewel Leigh Kruse Hale (Will), Sean Dean Bullock (Cindy), Elizabeth Paige Ochoa Payne (Wyatt), Kenneth Dale Kruse and Alec Ray Ochoa.
Great grandchildren are Caleb Allen Elson, Alyssa Tyler Elson (fiancé, Reagan Brooks), Landyn Will Bullock, Raelynn Samantha Bullock, Sean Dean Bullock, Jr., Cecilia Louise Payne, and Stryker Reine Hale. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Loretta Kruse Simank; cousins, Kathyrn Barton and Pauline Rich; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be grandsons, Colbey, Sean, Kenneth, Alec, Shelby, Levi, Wyatt and Will.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m.
Monday, April 10, at Providence Funeral Home.
Celebration of life will be Tuesday, April 11, at 2 p.m. at St.
Paul Lutheran Church in Taylor with Pastor George Qualley officiating, with the burial to follow at Taylor City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 401 West Seventh Street, Taylor, Texas 76574.
