Theodore "Ted" A. Kruse Jr.

Ted was born on March 31, 1942 in Columbus, OH to Mary Virginia (nee Southworth) and Theodore Albert Kruse, Sr.

A true Ohio son, Ted lived his entire life in Columbus. If he didn’t actually know everyone in central Ohio, he surely knew the family names and histories. And he loved nothing more than narrating his stories, sometimes generations back, to anyone curious and attentive enough to listen.

He was passionate about sports, especially baseball, and was an active outdoorsman: hunting, fishing, boating, and spending time in nature with “all God’s creatures.” Football season was all about the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and basketball season was all about the Kentucky Wildcats. And he continued to follow Bishop Ready sports long after his four children had graduated.

And any day was in-season for telling his story of how the smallest player became the hero of the Aquinas High School baseball team in the late 1950’s.

A master of compliments and the gift of gab, he managed to earn the superlative of “King Teddy” and the “Peacemaker” badge at the Woodview facility where he resided during his final months on this earth. Surely his way of going out on a high note.

Preceded in death by his daughter Teresa Marie Canada, brothers Terry and Robert, parents Mary and Theodore, and countless relatives who animated a storied ancestry and colorful life.

Survived by three children — Tamara Kruse, Tadd (Sommer) Kruse, and Tiffany (Darren) Waters; sisters Mary Ann Bova and Christine (Steve) Welk; five grandchildren — Jordan (Olivia), Christopher, and Adam (Maya) McCollum and Tori and Ty Waters; four great-grandchildren — Mila, Carter, and Bennett McCollum (Adam) and Duncan McCollum (Jordan); grand-pups Liam, Teagan, and Brooklyn; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and great-grand-pups.

A visitation for Ted will be held on Monday, October 14, 2024 from 10:15-11:00 AM at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church (473 S. Roys Ave., Columbus, OH 43204), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Private inurnment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, persons donate to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Given Ted’s love of children and past Kruse family support for St. Jude’s, this is a way to honor Ted’s life and memory. Donations may be made “In Memory of Ted Kruse” by clicking the donation link below the obituary for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and it will take you directly to where you need to make the donation.

Notifications of donations may be sent to the Kruse family via the donation platform by including the following email:

[email protected]