Sandra Victoria Kruth

Sandra "Sandee" Victoria (Miller) Kruth

Passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by family, on Thursday, April 14, 2022. For the majority of her 76 years, Sandee called Merrill her home, but she considered her childhood in Laporte as some of the best years of her life. In "LA", she made lifelong friends and navigated her share of mischief, along with her 11 siblings and neighborhood kids. Sandee graduated from Merrill High School and went on to make her home right "in town". In June 1981, Sandee married Duane Kruth - her partner in camping, fishing, travel, and regular trips to the casino. Sandee and Duane raised their blended family together, making sure family trips and holidays were always special. She retired from Merrill Community Schools, after years of custodial work alongside a group of coworkers she considered close friends. An avid reader herself, Sandee took pride in serving several years on the Merrill Library Board.

In 2017, Sandee started her battle against Parkinson's Disease - an ailment that went undiagnosed until 2019. Always strong (and stubborn), she endured numerous procedures at Covenant and Michigan Medicine, but through it all she never complained about her situation or her friend "Parkie". Through it all, Sandee never lost her quick wit, sass, and sense of humor. In December 2021, Heart2Heart Hospice began home care that spanned through the end of her life. Sandee's family is grateful for the loving care and support of the entire organization, particularly her special friends Jamie, Jessie, and Pat. And they cannot forget the love and support of her previous caregiver friends, Marty, Brian, and Amanda.

Sandee had a mind like a Rolodex, and she could rattle off birthdays and phone numbers at a moment's notice. She loved the joy and spirit of the Christmas holiday season, and she enjoyed several trips to Bronner's every year - including one or two during the heat of the summer months. And, she made sure she called her daughter, Wendy, when the first snowflake fell, so she could sing "It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas." A devoted sister, wife, mother, and friend, Sandee is remembered as a source of strength and warmth for all who knew her.

In her final days, she was not afraid, and she was ready to go home and see her mom, dad, and those family and friends who passed before her. For her family, it was a blessing to have her able to share her wishes and plans, one of which was a request to share special love and thanks to her sisters Pat and Helen and sister-in-law Pam for the love and care she received during her most difficult hours. Sandee also wanted to share her love and appreciation for her oldest and dearest friends, Pat (Ken) Hickman, Ellen Teall, and Jackie (Les) Sheldon.

Sandee is survived by her husband, Duane; daughters: Wendy (Matt) Bueche and Brenda (Dennis) Moore; granddaughters: Kevona Kruth and Melissa Moore; siblings: Pat (Larry) Urbancik, Mary Aaron, Karen Sheridan, Ron (Colleen) Miller, Ernie (Barb) Miller, Mike (Pam) Miller, Helen Miller, and Rick (Jackie) Miller; brother-in-law: Mark Kruth; sisters-in-law: Mary Jo Miller and Irene Kruth; as well as a number of much-loved nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is predeceased by parents, Earl and Catherine Miller; parents-in-law, Melvin and Margaret Kruth; brothers: Bill Miller, Tom Miller, and Jerry Miller; brothers-in-law: Michael Sheridan, Jerry Aaron, Larry Vanlew, and Fred Kruth; sisters-in-law: Cathy Miller and Pam Vanlew; son, Paul; and granddaughter, Rachael Mull.

A Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Four Points Church (Laporte United Methodist Church) 3990 Smiths Crossing Road, Freeland. Chaplain Patricia Kelly will officiate. Burial will follow at Lakefield Township Cemetery. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 125 E. Saginaw Street, Merrill on Tuesday, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Laporte United Methodist Church, Merrill District Library, or Heart to Heart Hospice. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, church, or through www.casefuneralhome.com.