Earl Kruschwitz

The Ernst August Kruschwitz family came to Barnes County in May, 1928, moving here from Griggs County, where they had farmed for twelve years. Originally from Sheffield, Iowa.

Eight of the ten children came to Valley City; Carl and Levi deciding to remain in Griggs County to farm. Esther, Marie, Irma, Reuben, Earl, Harry, Alfred and Stanley came with their folks. Henry worked for Severt L. Anderson and the Bertram family for many years and died in September, 1963. Stanley left the family in 1929 to study for the ministry. Alfred returned to Iowa to farm.

Farming in several locations east and south of Valley City, the family moved to Valley City in 1933 after the death of Mrs. Kruschwitz.

Irma is married to Ray Schuler and is retired after thirty years as a telephone operator. Reuben is a retired Baptist minister. Harry, Esther and Marie are deceased.

Earl, retired in Valley City, taught school for thirty years, the twenty-one years at Valley City State and the Valley City High School. He has served as the Disaster Emergency Service Director, on the City Commission and the Planning Commission.

Mrs. Earl Kruschwitz (the former Vae Nelson of Sykeston) has taught twenty-four years in Wells, Kidder, LaMoure and Barnes Counties and is now retired. Earl and Vae are members of the Epworth Methodist Church and are active in all phases, including the Sunday and Church Schools.

They have four children;

  1. Joan (Mrs. John Ostlie, Moorhead, Minnesota),

  2. Mary (Mrs. Ron Legler, Madison, Wisconsin),

  3. Beth (Mrs. LeRoy Pawluk, Beloit, Wisconsin), and

  4. Deborah Linn, attending the Valley City State College.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 132