Doris Wagner

Doris J. Kruse Wagner, 87, of Grand Island passed away peacefully on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, with family by her side at CHI St. Francis Hospital. A memorial service will be 10:00 AM Monday, August 28, 2017, at Apfel Funeral Home with Reverend Kelly Karges officiating. Inurnment will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. According to Doris wishes she was cremated and there will be no visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family for later designation. Online condolences may be directed to www.apfelfuneralhome.com.



Doris was born September 30, 1929, in St. Paul, NE, to Harold and Agnes Jane (Wall) Ward. She grew up on a farm west of St. Paul, and attended District 27 and District 55 Schools. She graduated from St. Paul High School in 1948. She worked her senior year at the Central Caf in Grand Island and helped on the family farm.



On September 12, 1948, she was united in marriage to Ernest J. Kruse in Grand Island. The couple resided with family on a farm north of Grand Island. In January 1956, they moved to a farm west of Grand Island. Doris worked on the farm along side of Ernie. In 1974, she was employed at the Grand Island Veterans Home for 18 years as a med aide. She also helped on the farm while raising five children. Ernie died on July 3, 1975.



On June 26, 1981, Doris was united in marriage to Howard W. Wagner. Howard was a Pearl Harbor survivor, and they attended many Pearl Harbor Survivor Reunions; which took them to numerous states and several trips to Hawaii. They built a house in Grand Island that they lived in until Howards passing on March 25, 1997, and she continued to live there.



She enjoyed her extension club get togethers and having coffee at McDonalds with friends. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. She will be lovingly missed and remembered by her family and friends.



Those left to cherish her memory include son: Jack Kruse, daughters: Judy (Dan) Mora, Jerri Kruse all of Grand Island, and Jan (Russ) Hettinger of St. Paul, NE; grandchildren: Johnny Kruse, Kim Lewis, Quentin Hettinger, Corey (Angie) Hettinger, Amy Hettinger, Daniel (Danielle) Mora, Tessa Mora (special friend Jesse Cutrer); great grandchildren: Emily Kruse, Carter Lewis, Maximus and Madison Mora. Special family: Roy (Somboon Dim) Rogers; brothers: Harold Ward, Dale (Joyce) Ward; brother-in-law: Richard Fredrick; dear friends: Deta Lindahl, Agnes Kelly, and Jan Culp; and her special pet: Henry.



Doris was preceded in death by her parents; husbands: Ernie and Howard; son: James; granddaughter: Nitaya; sister: Annabel; brother: Don (Faye) Ward; and sister-in-law: Ester Ward.