Milton Kruzich's Obituary
Milton ""Mike"" Kruzich, 87 of Mystic passed away on Tuesday April 19, 2005 at Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Mike was the fifth child born to Anna (Kovacevich) Kruzich and Joseph Kruzich who were immigrants to America from Yugoslavia. He was born in Diamond, Iowa on August 28, 1917. Diamond, at that time, was a prosperous coal mining camp where his father was a miner. At a very young age Mike himself started working in the mines.
On February 20, 1941 at St. Mary's Church in Milan Missouri, Katie Josephine Baker became the bride of Mike. This past February they celebrated sixty-four years of marriage. They were very proud of their Longevity in marriage. Mike would always joke ""We don't know where we went wrong: we were married for sixty-four years!"" Obviously they shared a bond no one could divide.
To this union, one son, Morris Baker Kruzich was born. He and wife Janie reside in Mystic. Morris and Janie have two children: Daughter, Jonna (Tom) Reed of Corydon and their children Nickolas, Rushton, Baker and Katie, and son Michael Wade Kruzich of Mystic and his children Josephina and Michael. In his passing, he leaves a sister Frances Glaub of Silvis, Illinois, a nephew Frank (Donna) Glaub and family of Carbondale, Illinois, niece Virginia Glaub of Indiana, Chris Glaub and family of Illinois and Greg Glaub and family of Polk City, Iowa. Nephews: John (Barb) and family, Mick (Judy), George (Ann), Mark (Carolyn) and many great nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and infant brother George, elder brothers Joe, John, Tony (Ritz) and sister-in-laws Lucille and Tressie Kruzich and brother-in-law Frank Glaub.
In Mike's younger years, he had many accomplishments under his belt. From mining, to railroad work, building construction, Iowa Power and Light, to running a gas station in Mystic. Mike worked at McGraw Edison for several years.
Mike and Morris loved to trap, fish and hunt together.
He pleasured in small farming, farrowing pigs, raising sheep and chickens. He mostly enjoyed his garden, raising his own garlic, starting his own tomato plants and providing everyone with his produce. He was a friend to everyone and knew no stranger.
Mike was quite a sports fan and played for the Mystic Midgets, and also a Van Johnson team in Missouri and was a pitcher for both teams and also played the position of a catcher. Later he played for the Mystic Merchants softball team. He also played softball for Jerome Farmers.
He was a member of St. Francis Church of Mystic and St. Mary's Church of Centerville, Knights of Columbus and Farm Bureau.
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