Judith Diane Kruse, 86, of Long Beach, California, passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 15, 2018. 

Judy was born to the late Roy and Julia Gomien on November 11, 1932 on the family farm outside Colfax, Illinois.  She and her late brother Roger Gomien of Morris, Illinois grew up on the farm.  Judy graduated from Anchor High School in 1950.  She married William Kruse, also of Colfax, in 1952.

Bill and Judy moved to Culver City, California in 1960 where Bill began his career as an aerospace engineer.  In 1974 they returned to Colfax and spent the next twelve years farming.  They returned to California in 1986 and settled in Long Beach where Bill resumed his engineering career.  Judy worked at McDonnell Douglas in Long Beach and later for Cal State Long Beach until her retirement.

She was an active member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, where she served on the Women's Council and as a sponsor in the parish's RCIA program.  In retirement she and Bill were active in biking and ski trips with the Over the Hill Gang, and made several trips abroad with family and friends. 

Judy is survived by Bill, her husband of 66 years, her children Cindy Newsome of Los Angeles and Steven Kruse of Pacific Palisades, and her grandchildren David and Emily Newsome of Los Angeles. 

Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 a.m., Saturday, January 26, 2019 at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 5100 E. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803.