Charles A. (Chuck) Cruse

Charles A. “Chuck” Cruse passed away in Ellensburg, Washington on Monday, September 13, 2021 due to complications from COVID. He was born June 8, 1945 in Merced, California to Charles A. Cruse Sr. and Ann (Knis) Cruse while they were stationed there during World War II.  Growing up in Ellensburg, he enjoyed camping, hunting, and fishing with his family as well as participating in boy scouts and little league. Throughout his Ellensburg High School years he played for both the basketball and baseball teams and during his senior year he was a member of the 1963 State basketball championship team.

After high school he worked briefly at the local Boise Cascade lumber mill and served in the US Army, graduating from Officer Candidate School as a Second Lieutenant in 1964. He went to Vietnam with the 75th Artillery Group based out of Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, finishing his service at the Yakima Training Center.

After his military service, he married Romaine Scheuffele of Yakima and together they had two children, Chris and Wendi. He began a career as a professional land surveyor helping establish Cruse and Nelson in 1980, then transitioning to Cruse and Associates with his son Chris in 2000. During his 42 years as a licensed land surveyor, he completed thousands of projects throughout Kittitas County, making many friends along the way.

In 1995 he married Lana Thomas, forming a blended family with son Chris and his wife Lisa, daughter Wendi and Lana’s daughter Holly. In 2005 they welcomed granddaughter Katie to the family. Chuck along with his family and friends continued his lifelong favorite past-times of boating, Jeeping, camping, hunting and fishing. With Lana, Chuck expanded his horizons for enjoying nature and wildlife by taking a trip to Churchill, Manitoba to see the polar bears as well as yearly trips to Yellowstone, to watch the grizzlies and wolves, and the high desert of Southeast Oregon to look at the wild horses. They also enjoyed many trips with their boat to Stehekin, Priest Lake and Lake Pend Oreille.

Chuck was a wonderful husband, father, stepfather, grandfather, and special friend to many. He will be missed, but leaves behind many wonderful memories.

Chuck was preceded in death by his parents, and numerous aunts and uncles. He is survived by his wife Lana, brother Ron (Barbara) Cruse of Veradale, WA, children Chris (wife Lisa and granddaughter Katie) Cruse of Bigfork, MT, Wendi Cruse of New Tripoli, PA, and Holly Tingey of Yakima.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to a charity of your choice. If you enjoy being in the outdoors as Chuck did, please work to keep road access to our public lands.

A celebration of Chuck’s life will be held on Thursday, October 28 at the Manastash Room at the Kittitas County Fairgrounds.  Stop by anytime between 2pm and 5pm to share memories and stories.

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Chuck’s family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com