Nels F. Kruse 84 of Upton, Wyoming died Monday, July 7, 2008 at Weston County Manor in Newcastle.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Monday, July 14, 2008 at the Upton Community Center with Reverend Gene Hagerman officiating, burial will take place at Inyan Kara Cemetery. Visitation will be two hours prior to the service on Monday.

A memorial has been established.

Nels was born May 6th 1924 to Charles "Chaz" and Nellie (Diederich) Kruse in Lakeview, SD. He attended country school in the Lakeview area. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and later was honorably discharged. He moved to Sidney, Nebraska and worked in the oil fields. He married Joe Carlson on May 6th 1948 at the Methodist church in Sidney. The couple moved to Nevada for a brief time before moving to Wyoming, first living in Osage then Buffalo, Douglas and Kaycee where Nels worked on various ranches. The family then moved to Newcastle where Nels was the caretaker of the fairgrounds and became a brand inspector. In 1978 they moved to Upton where Nels continued to work as a brand inspector and shoed horses. He retired in 1989. He enjoyed team roping, tack braiding and helping others.

Survivors include his wife Joe Kruse of Upton, daughters; Pamela Deaver of Gillette, Ronda Dowdy of Upton and Jo Hanson of Rapid City, SD, one son, Ray Kruse of Gillette, two sisters, Patty Friess of Maryland and Dorothy Shaske of Gillette, four brothers; Dale Kruse of Minnesota Jack Diederich of McCook, NE, Joe Diederich of Morrill, NE and Gerald Diederich of Hooker, OK, eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Nels was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Wanda.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Roberts & Isburg Funeral Chapel in Sundance, Wyoming. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com