Ann Elizabeth Kruse died peacefully on June 3rd, 2026, at Evansville Manor, a skilled nursing facility where she had been living since early 2025. Ann was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the oldest daughter of John and Ginny Moore Kruse. Ann’s family lived in Newton, MA and Green Bay, WI before moving to Madison in her senior year of high school. She graduated from Memorial High School in 1979. Ann was born with a cognitive disability and completed an independent living program through St. Coletta of Wisconsin in 1982. She lived independently with community support in Fort Atkinson and Janesville for many years.

Ann returned to Madison in 2013, where she lived in her own residence with primary support from sister Carrie. She joined Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ and regularly attended church each week. Ann enthusiastically participated in weekly community meals and bingo games at the Goodman Community Center and Warner Park Community & Recreation Center (NewBridge). Ann was known to friends and family for her outgoing and social nature. She quickly established connections with people, remembered their birthdays, sent cards, and shared inside jokes. She was an avid Packers and Badgers football fan, often calling family members several times during a game to update them on the scores.

Ann was beloved by the staff and other residents at Evansville Manor, where she became known for participating in every activity, including music performances, spelling bees, craft activities and–much to her delight–bingo four times a week. She continued to visit Madison each weekend, joining her mother and sisters for breakfast every Saturday and attending church each Sunday. The family is very grateful to the staff of Evansville Manor for their care of Ann during this past year, and to the Orchard Ridge UCC community for their support and friendship.

Ann is survived by her mother, Ginny Moore Kruse, sisters Katherine and Carrie, sister-in-law Ellen Pryor, niece Evelyn (Rose) Livermore, and nephew Kinkaid Kruse-Frink. Preceding her in death were her father, John Kruse, and brother-in-law, Michael Smith.

A memorial service and reception will be held on Saturday, June 20 at 11:00 am at Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ, 1501 Gilbert Rd,. Madison, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Goodman Community Center.

Please share your memories at below in the online guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434