Catherine Cruse

Benton, Wisconsin Catherine "Kate" Cruse, 92, of Benton, Wisconsin, died Saturday, June 30, 2018, at Epione Pavilion in Cuba City. Services will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Benton with Rev. David Flanagan officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 9-10:45 a.m. Tuesday at the church before the service. Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Benton is in charge of arrangements. Kate was born on November 25, 1925, in Shullsburg, WI, the daughter of Andrew and Leone (Hayes) Aurit. She married Gerald H. "Jerry" Cruse on September 6, 1952. He preceded her in death on March 17, 1986. Kate loved being a homemaker. Every week she made chocolate chip cookies for the children in the neighborhood. She was the "mother" of the neighborhood and a wonderful mother and grandmother to her children and grandchildren. Kate was very proud of her Irish heritage. One of the things she enjoyed was mowing the grass. Survivors include her daughters, Leslie (Jim) Beau, of Benton, and Julie (Glen) Ramaker, of Cuba City; her sons, Michael (Chris) Cruse, of Normal, IL, Jeffery (Michelle) Cruse, of Mayhew Lake, MN, Patrick (Jackie) Cruse and Larry (Lisa) Cruse, both of Platteville, Ronald Cruse, of Albany, WI, and Gregory (Tina) Cruse, of Shullsburg; her sisters, Lucille Herbst, of Cuba City, and Marie Meloy, of Indianapolis, IN; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her brother, George Aurit. A Catherine "Kate" Cruse Memorial Fund has been established.