JoEllen Cruse

JoEllen Cruse

1928-2022

JoEllen Cruse, 93, passed away peacefully Jan. 27, 2022 at Nazareth House in Fresno, Cali. JoEllen was born on Aug. 17, 1928 and raised Keota. The eldest of three children she was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Lillian Flander, her brother James and Thomas Flander, the love of her life, Richard Cruse and two infant children.

JoEllen graduated from Keota High school and attended Mary Crest Women's College in Davenport, Iowa. She went on to earn a nursing degree at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing and upon graduating she served as their instructors. While attending a college dance, mom and dad met. They married on Dec. 5, 1951 and danced their way through a grand love affair that took them to California and lasted 59 years. They are, no doubt, together again dancing "their" special dance.

They settled in Fresno in 1962 with an ever expanding family.  JoEllen created a welcoming, loving, and happy home while maintaining her career as a nurse working at Community Hospital. She was very active in her children's school and extracurricular activities. She possessed a quiet strength and instilled in her children a love for family. She was incredibly proud of her children, 14 grandchildren, and five great-granddaughters.  They were her joy, and she is and will be forever known as Grandma Jo.

JoEllen is survived by her children: Michael Cruse (Christine), Pam Cluston, Pat Sullivan (Tim), Karen Stanley (David), Jeff Cruse (Debbie), and Tom Cruse; her grandchildren: Kolin Cruse (Sheena), Kaitie Cruse Poe (Jesse), Adrienne Cruse, Nicole Cluston Lewandowski (Conner), Kevin Cluston, Taylor Cluston, Meghan Stanley Carlon (Andy), Melanye Stanley Stanzel (Justin), Stephanie Stanley, Samantha Sullivan Schricker (Dan), Shannon Sullivan Youn (Chris), Lindsey Cruse, Allysen Cruse, and Jennifer Cruse; and her great-granddaughters: Riley and Avery Cruse, Olivia Stanzel, Mia Carlon and Sierra Poe. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Isabel Flander of Keota and many nieces and nephews.

The Curse family wishes to extend their thanks and gratitude to both Nazareth House and Bristol Hospice for their excellent, loving care of our mother.