Rachel Ellen Pray was born on August 12, 1922 at the home of her parents Harley and Pauline (Gerlach) Pray at the family farm south of Red Lake Falls.

She attended grade school at Perreault School (District 32) and graduated from Lafayette High School in 1940. She graduated from Teachers Training in 1941 and taught several rural schools from 1941 to 1951.

Rachel was united in marriage to Frank J. Kruse in 1950. For the next thirteen years she was a dedicated mother and homemaker. In 1964 she returned to teaching, while continuing her education, obtaining her Bachelors Degree from Bemidji State University in 1970. Rachel continued to teach at Washington (J.A. Hughes) Elementary School and Lafayette High School until she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1985 and retired shortly thereafter.

She was a member of St. Josephs Catholic Church, Homemakers Club and the Forget Me Not Garden Club.

Rachel had a deep commitment and took a keen interest in each family member. She will be remembered for her love of life and learning, but most of all her love for her family and friends.

She especially enjoyed teaching children and to her final days challenged those around her to name the presidents, states, capitals and great lakes.

Survivors are her daughters Pauline Longtin (Lyle) of Fergus Falls, MN; Peggy Bremer of Moorhead, MN; and sons Steven Kruse, Red Lake Falls, MN and Larry Kruse, Albertville, MN; one sister, Alyce M. Wilson of Golden Valley, MN; Grandchildren include Linnae Weinrich (Kevin); Tatum Katzenmeyer (Rob); Brett Longtin and Nathan Bremer. Great grandchildren include Devin and Louis Weinrich and many nieces and nephews.

Rachel was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Robert and Harley Jr.; husband Frank in 1976 and son-in-law Vance Bremer in 2001.

The family of Rachel Kruse would like to thank you for your kindness and sympathy. Please join them for lunch and fellowship in the church-dining hall following the burial at St. Josephs Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake Falls, MN.

Condolences for the family may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.net