Ann (Knis) Cruse

Ann K. Cruse, 97, longtime Ellensburg resident, passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2020 at Pacifica Senior Living in Ellensburg. She will be laid to rest at the IOOF Cemetery in Ellensburg and details regarding a celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

Ann was born on July 26, 1922 in Sapinec Czechoslovakia, the first of two children born to George & Mary (Babej) Knis.  At the age of seven Ann and her mother traveled by ship to America to join her father who was working in the Cle Elum area coal mines.  She graduated from Cle Elum High School.  While attending high school she did secretarial work for a local attorney.  After high school she worked at the NWI store in Roslyn, and for a short time in the Seattle area.  She was raised as a catholic, attending church as a child in Cle Elum, and as an adult in Ellensburg.

Through mutual friends, she met and dated her future husband Charles A. Cruse of Ellensburg.  She traveled by train to Merced California, where he was stationed with the U.S. Air Force to marry on August 28, 1944.  They had one son, Charles Jr. while in California.  After the service they returned to Ellensburg to live the rest of their lives.  They had their second son Ron in Ellensburg.  Ann enjoyed cooking for her family, gardening, canning, and shopping.

Ann is survived by her sons Chuck (Lana), Ron (Barb), and grandchildren Chris (Lisa) Cruse, Wendi Cruse, and Holly Tingey; and one great granddaughter Katie Cruse.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Charles as well as her parents and her sister Pauline Kinghorn.

Memorial contributions in Ann’s honor are suggested to Hospice Friends, 302 Second Avenue in  Ellensburg or a charity of your choice.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Steward & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg.  Online condolences may be left at www.steward-williams.com