BRENHAM MOURNS PASSING OF ED KRUSE
A civic leader and a pioneer in Brenham business has passed away.
Ed Kruse, past president of Blue Bell Creameries, died Tuesday, after a lengthy illness at the age of 87.
At the age of 23, Ed Kruse was made manager of Blue Bell Creameries. In 1986, he was made manager of Blue Bell, and became Chairman of the Board in 1986.
In 1987 he was named Washington County Man of the Year, and was inducted into the Texas Business Hall of Fame in 1993.
In 1995 Kruse was named Lutheran of the Year by the Lutheran Social Services of the South; and was inducted into the Dairy Products Institute Hall of Fame. In 1998 he received the Soaring Eagle Award from the International Ice Cream Association for service above and beyond the call of duty.
State Senator Lois Kolkhorst says Kruse was an icon to this community and to the State of Texas…
Kruse retired from Blue Bell in 1993, then continued as the company’s Chairman of the Board until 2014.
In December of 2013, Ed and his wife Evelyn Kruse signed over 100 acres of land just east of Home Depot for a new city park.
Kruse said that while there is a lot of park space in the city there is still was a need for more.
Brenham Mayor Milton Tate says Kruse was committed to people and the City of Brenham...
Kruse and his brother Howard actively supported Texas A&M University over the years, pledging $7-million on behalf of Blue Bell, to the renovation and expansion of Olsen Field, which lead to baseball facility to be named C.E “Pat Olsen Field at Blue Bell Park.
The Kruse’s also supported A&M through the establishment of Corps of Cadets scholarships, gifts to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, an endowed Chair at the Bush School and regular support for the 12th Man Association.
In 2011 the Kruse’s were the first recipients recognized for lifetime achievement from the Texas A&M Letterman’s Association.
The Kruse’s also made numerous contributions to the athletic department at Brenham High School—including the funds for the Kruse Athletic Field House on the High School campus.
Kruse’s close friend and Brenham Athletic Director and football coach Glen West says this is a tremendous loss…
The Kruse family also made a significant gift to the Blinn Foundation for the design and construction of the Kruse Center, a new recreation, activity and athletic center to be constructed on the Blinn College-Brenham campus.
He was also named as Person of the Year by the Blinn College Ex-Students Association.
Funeral Services for Ed Kruse will be held Saturday afternoon at 2:00 at the Brenham High School auditorium. Services are under the direction of Memorial Oaks Chapel.
Blue Bell issued a statement earlier Wednesday on the passing of Ed Kruse:
Blue Bell mourns the passing of former CEO Ed. F. Kruse
Brenham, TX, September 23, 2015 - It is with great sadness we mourn the loss of one of our own, Ed. F. Kruse. He passed away this morning in College Station, Texas.
His contributions to our company, the Brenham community and so many will never be forgotten. While we mourn the loss of a great man, we also celebrate his remarkable life. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed by many.
Ed. is survived by his wife Evelyn, a son and daughter, and numerous grandchildren.
Ed. came to Blue Bell at the young age of 13, working for his father E.F., wrapping ice cream sandwiches by hand. After graduating college in 1949, he initially took a different career path, but returned to Blue Bell fulltime in 1951 at the urging of his father, who was then the creamery’s manager. He became the secretary/treasurer after his father’s death later that same year. In 1968, he was named president and general manager, and in 1986 chairman of the board and chief executive officer. He retired from Blue Bell in 1993. After his retirement Ed. continued as the chairman of the board until 2014.
Outside of his dedication to Blue Bell, he had a strong desire to serve his community and help others. He was active in various organizations including his church, his alma mater Texas A&M University, Dairy Products Institute of Texas, Blinn College and many more.