Schuchert Funeral Homes

Donald A. Kruse, 65, of Arnolds Park passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Friday, Nov. 16, 2018.A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Visitation was held Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018, at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to spiritlakefuneralhome.com.Don was born on May 21, 1953, in Lawton, Oklahoma to Alvin and Joyce (Bauman) Kruse. He graduated from high School in Sibley and attended Iowa State University. He was united in marriage to Teresa Vittetoe on Feb. 25, 1989, in Spencer. Don owned and operated Faulkner Plumbing & Heating. He was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In Don's free time, he enjoyed going boating, a fine glass of wine and conversation with family and friends. He will be fondly remembered for his whistling of Christmas carols.Left to cherish his memory is his wife Teresa Kruse of Arnolds Park; son Ryan and wife Lindsay (Carlson) McGrath of Spirit Lake; daughter Jennifer Bastiaanse and husband Gerald of South Lake, Texas; five grandchildren, Conrad, George, Samson, Cady and Annie, his father Alvin Kruse of Arnolds Park; sisters Maureen Breuker and husband Dan of Lake Park; DeLinda Leu and husband Grant of Spencer; Carmen and husband Jim Howard of Wisconsin and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his mother Joyce.

Jean M. Thompson, 74, of Carlisle, Ohio, formerly of Spirit Lake passed away on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018, at her home in Carlisle, Ohio.Funeral services for Jean will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. Burial will be in the St. Margaret's Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Visitation was held from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday Nov. 13, 2018 at the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to spiritlakefuneralhome.com.Jean was born on March 6, 1944, to Grey and Mary (Eckard) Smitley in Harris. She graduated from Sumner High School and earned her teaching degree from the University of Northern Iowa. She was united in marriage to Duane Thompson on Nov. 29, 1969 in Spirit Lake. He preceded her in death on April 10, 2009, in Spencer. Jean taught for many years in the Spirit Lake School system as a PE teacher. She also coached volleyball and golf for the school. In her later years, Jean worked for Northwest Bank.She was a member St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spirit Lake. In her spare time, Jean enjoyed golfing and was a longtime member at Okoboji View Golf Course.Left to cherish her memory is her daughter Darcy (Scott McGuire) Thompson of Carlisle, Ohio; six grandchildren, Autumn Burkhalter, Cheyanne Reed, Ridge Reed, Weston Schueller, Stephanie Schueller and Tanasi Reed; and her sister Judy Woodworth of Spearfish, South Dakota.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter Vangie Thompson, brother Ronnie Smitley and her sister Joyce Chestnut.

Nov. 7, 2018John "Dick" Notestine, 92, of Okoboji passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, at Accura Healthcare of Spirit Lake.A memorial Mass was held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 12, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Milford. Burial was at Lakeview Gardens Cemetery in Spirit Lake. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Monday at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of the Schuchert-Lentz Funeral Home in Spirit Lake. Online condolences may be sent to spiritlakefuneralhome.com.John Richard "Dick" Notestine was the son of Harley and Mae Notestine. He was born in 1926 in Eagle Grove. Dick graduated from Eagle Grove High School in 1944, and he enlisted one week later in the United States Air Force. Upon his honorable discharge, he returned home to marry the prettiest girl in Eagle Grove, Eireen Knudsen. Out of this marriage, they were blessed with a son Thomas, and a daughter, Patricia. Tom, an attorney, and his wife Molly raised five children. Patricia preceded both parents in death and was joined by her mother Eireen on Dec. 14, 2016. Eireen was often referred to as "the Doctor of Fort Dodge," due to her extensive background in nursing.Dick was a good athlete, and he had a life-long love for hunting and for his Labrador hunting dogs. He had that same love for golf and was fortunate enough to have eight hole-in-ones. Dick always felt fortunate to live in the Lakes Area, which was a very special place for him. He often heard the saying "enjoy the beauty of the area, but leave it in such a way that those who follow may enjoy it too." Throughout a 45-year career in real estate, he helped many people find their special Okoboji place.What the world has lost, heaven has gained …...