John M. Kruzel

John M. Kruzel, 86-year-old resident of Sobieski, MN passed away Sunday, December 11, 2016 at the Little Falls Care Center in Little Falls, MN. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN with Father Matthew Langager officiating. Burial will be at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church Cemetery in Sobieski, MN. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 PM on Friday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls and from 10-11 A.M. on Saturday at the church. St. Stanislaus Rosary Sodality at 4:30 PM, followed by Parish Prayers at 5 PM. Military Rites will be conducted by the Swanville American Legion Post #313. John was born on September 23, 1930 in Swan River Township, Morrison County, MN to the late Joseph Sr. and Agnes (Prokott) Kruzel. He grew up in the Sobieski area and on May 25, 1953 he married Mary Magdzairz at St. Stanislaus. John and Mary lived on a farm near Sobieski where they raised their son, Donald. John was a charter member of the Sobieski Lions Club, Greater Minnesota Two-Cylinder Club. John volunteered endless hours at the local care center, helping neighbors. He also loved to take pictures, go snowmobiling and host a haunted Halloween house at the farm. One of John’s greatest enjoyments was dressing up as Santa Claus spreading joy during the Christmas season to many families around the area who knew he was the “real Santa Claus”. John is survived by his son, Donald Kruzel of Sobieski, MN; significant other, Diane Magdzairz of Sobieski, MN; sister, Mary Brezinka of Royalton, MN; brothers, Joseph Kruzel Jr. and Anthony Kruzel both of Little Falls, MN; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rita & Wilfred (Bud) Kruschek of Hillman, MN and Grace & Virgil Kapsner of Redwood Falls, MN. John was proceeded in death by his wife, Mary; parents, Joseph Sr. and Agnes; brothers, Damasius, Frank and Sylvester. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ted Kapsner and the Sobieski Lions. Active Pallbearers will be Jacqueline Hoeschen, MiMi Kruschek, Donald Krebs, William Brezinka, John Brezinka and Randy Kruzel.

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John M. Kruzel

September 23, 1930 - December 11, 2016