Crawfordsville, IN - Mary Kay Schwartz-Kruse, 86, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, surrounded by family at her home in rural Montgomery County, Indiana.

Mary Kay was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jeff Kruse. Jeff and Mary Kay were married on August 7, 1982, and shared 38 loving years of marriage before he passed away on July 19, 2020.

Mary Kay was a kind, generous, patient, and humble woman. Following graduation from high school, she entered the Congregation of the Sisters of the Holy Cross at Saint Mary's in Notre Dame, Indiana, during which time she earned an RN degree and worked in numerous Catholic hospitals around the country. When she left the Congregation in 1977, she entered post-graduate studies and earned a Ph.D. in family counseling, working with families until her retirement in 2010.

Mary Kay enjoyed nature, hiking, camping, and traveling with Jeff. She was proud to share with everyone how much she cherished the memories of the time spent with Jeff, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Mary Kay and Jeff spent numerous days, weekends, and weeks with the family at their rural home in Crawfordsville, enjoying holidays, birthdays, special days, and the Kruse Campout, held annually in the woods behind their house for over 40 years.

Survivors include her stepchildren, Paul Kruse of Lebanon; Tom (Cathy) Kruse of New Richmond; Karen (Vic) Fritz of Indianapolis; and Dale (Kristee) Kruse of Avon; 12 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Rose Schwartz, David Schwartz, Sharon Ridge, and Michael Schwartz, all residing in Ohio.

A Funeral Mass will be held at the St. Bernard Catholic Church in Crawfordsville, Indiana, on March 26, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Visitation shall precede the Funeral Mass from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would request that memorials be made to Sisters of the Holy Cross, 200 Rosary Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, with instructions that the funds be used to support needy people of the community.

Hunt & Son Funeral Home, 107 North Grant Avenue, Crawfordsville, Indiana, 765-362-0440, has been entrusted with her arrangements.