Ann Kruse

Ann Marie Kruse was born on April 16, 1963, in Chicago, Illinois, the youngest child of George Kruse and
Mary Ellen Kruse Ritchie. She lived in the Chicago area throughout her lifetime and worked for many
years in the insurance industry, most recently for USI Insurance Services.
Ann was well known in the deejay community since 1984, and was a longtime member of the Wax On DJ
Collective. Her love and knowledge of all things melodic was legendary! Ann often matched her attire to
the specific music set she was playing at any given time. She regularly operated the decks at clubs and
bars in Chicago prior to the Covid-19 outbreak, and she continued doing so from home after the
pandemic began. Ann also promoted and co-hosted the Lucky Number Club 950 Annual Reunion for a
number of years.
Ann was known for her love of colorful clothing, and she was always outfitted brightly, with all the
accompanying jewelry and accessories.
Ann had numerous varied interests. She truly enjoyed observing and identifying birds of all types. She
was very knowledgeable about architecture and history, particularly in and around Chicago. She loved
silent films and was a regular attendee at the Chicago Silent Film Society.
Ann was a condo owner and past president of her condominium association. Her love of gardening is
evident in the beautiful gardens that she lovingly tended around her condo building.
Ann was beloved by her siblings Nancy Kruse, Jeanette (Paul Baron) Kruse-Baron, George (Suzanne)
Kruse, and Mary (Gary) Radke. She will be deeply missed by her nieces and nephews, Donald (Debbie)
Kaminski, Craig Kaminski, George Kruse, Kimberly (Nick) Bentz, Mark (Kari) Kruse, Kelly Flack, Ryan
(Maranda) Radke, Christopher (Katie) Getowicz, and Andrea (Jake) Durant. Ann was a dear Auntie to
many great-nieces and great-nephews. She leaves many cousins and friends, as well. She was preceded
on her journey by her parents, George Kruse and Mary Ellen Kruse Ritchie, stepfather, Dick Ritchie, and
brothers-in-law, Martin Badula and Dennis Kornaus.
A celebration of Ann’s life will take place in Stillwater, in the near future. In lieu of flowers, memorials to
the Field Museum of Natural History or the Chicago Silent Film Society are preferred.
The family thanks Julie Grams, Dr. Lauren Wiebe and her staff, and the Hospice of the Midwest for their
loving care of Ann.