Dorothy (Sandstede) Kruse, age 96, passed away on Friday, January 24, 2025, in Sioux Falls, SD. She was born on August 2, 1928, to George and Edith Sandstede in Steen, MN. She grew up on the family farm, attended high school, and graduated from Hills High School in June 1946.

The memorial service will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025, at 1 PM at Miller Funeral Home Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Ave. Visitation will begin at noon at the funeral home. The funeral service for Dorothy will be livestreamed to Miller Funeral Home's YouTube page. To watch the service live, please click on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/YLhYwOREWkk?feature=share

Memorials may be directed to Our Savior's Lutheran Church Foundation.

She married Alfred J. Kruse on December 14, 1946, and lived in Sioux Falls, SD. Dorothy worked at Manchester Biscuit Company until 1949, when they started a family. Dorothy and Alfred raised four active children, so Dorothy spent a lot of time driving kids to various school events and activities.

In January of 1970, she returned to working outside the home, working for the YWCA. She and Alfred retired in 1984 and 1985. They bought a Holiday Rambler trailer and started traveling. They joined the Rambling Pheasants RV Club, going to many places for campouts and rallies. They traveled to almost all of the 50 states. Their favorite state was Hawaii. They spent many years going south in the winter, and their favorite spot was Green Valley, Arizona. They also did several bus tours.

Grateful to have shared her life are her children, Sandra Dykstra, of Loveland, CO, Susan (Steve) Hauff, of Sioux Falls, SD, Lavonne Dunham, of Sioux Falls, SD, and Duane (Denise) Kruse, of Sioux Falls, SD; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren.

Preceded in death by her husband, Alfred Kruse; one infant brother; two brothers, Melvin and Kenny Sandstede; one sister, Viola Lutz; and two sons-in-law, Richard Dykstra and Roger Hainje.