David Ottmar Kruse, age 78, was born to Ottmar and Edith Kruse on July 22, 1947 in Seguin, Texas. He passed away peacefully on October 12, 2025 in New Braunfels, Texas.

David proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1968-1972 followed by a long successful career with Sears.  He had many passions including being an avid sports fan, father and dog dad. He loved the Houston Astros, Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears and the Texas Longhorns. He watched the games regularly with his family.  He also enjoyed cooking, smoking bbq, traveling and going for frequent Texas back road drives with his wife.

David is preceeded in death by his parents, his late wife Linda and his daughter, Lara Kruse.  Also preceded in death by 4 older sisters, Eileen Moeller, Judy Beck, Elizabeth Furler, and Carol Stautzenberger.

He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Kruse, children Michael Kruse and Phillip Kruse, step-children Chad Donegan and wife Christy, Melissa Donegan and sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Ralph Reece.

Services will be held at Doeppenschmidt Funeral Home in New Braunfels on Tuesday, November 11, 2025 with a visitation at 1pm followed by a service at 2pm. Military honors for the family will be held at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery on Monday, November 10, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The American Cancer Society or St. Jude's Children Hospital.