John Kruit

John L Kruit, our loving husband, father and grandfather went home to his loving Savior, Lord and King on November 8, 2020.

John was born in Highland, IN on July 11, 1934 and at the age of 9 months his parents moved the family to Birnamwood in the Town of Norrie. When John was 14 years old his dad passed away. He quit school and farmed with his mother until his marriage to Joyce Shearrow on December 26, 1959 in Rice Lake, WI. They were just shy of 61 years of marriage.

In the Spring of 1961 they bought a farm in the Town of Berlin, farming and raising their 5 children. They started with 20 cows and 240 acres and by the time he retired in 1997 they were milking 90 cows and owned 475 acres. In 1968 he was recognized and awarded the Marathon County Young Farmer of the Year. After leaving the farm he was a truck driver for 7 years and following that he worked for the Town of Berlin 13 years.

John was very active in the church serving on the deacon board, teaching Sunday School and Wednesday Bible studies. He was Sunday School Superintendent at one time and also sang in the choir from age 15 until there was no choir. He spent a number of years singing in nursing homes with the A-Men Quartet which he greatly enjoyed. In 1984 John spent 2 weeks in India on a Mission trip with Rev. Richard Krenz and 3 others.

John is survived by his loving wife of 60years, children Linda (Alan) Burt, TX; Laura Kruit, TX; Lynette (Mark) Novak, WI; Stephen Kruit, WI; Rich (Tiffany) Kruit, WI; 14 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sister Helen Froehlich,WI; sister-in-law’s Arliss Kruit and Shirley Kruit, WI; brother-in law Dick (Connie) Shearrow, MN; Sister-in-law’s Ellie (Shearrow)and Vic Eckstein, IN; Zona Shearrow, TN; Lois Shearrow, WI; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents Peter ad Catherine (Monru) Kruit, brothers Willie, Henry and Everett (& Betty), sister Jennie (& Al) Doak; brothers-in-law Les Froehlich, Bill & Ken Shearrow, sister-in-law JoAnn (& Don) Posta, parent-in-laws Elmer & Hazel Shearrow.