Margery Ruth Cruse, age 92, passed away Monday, April 6, 2015 at Maplewood of Sauk Prairie. She was born July 30, 1922 in Compton, Ill to the late Carl and Iva (Rogers) Gardner. She graduated from Lee Center High School and later Northern Illinois University where she graduated with a Teachers Degree. Margery was proud to have taught at several country schools; Compton and Franklin Grove, Illinois Schools; Sauk Valley Junior College in Sterling as an art instructor; and she later worked at the Franklin Grove Library. She married Milford L. Cruse on January 8, 1943. Margery had a love for art, history and reading. She and Milford contributed and were members of the Franklin Grove Historical Society. Margery was a lifelong member of the Franklin Grove Methodist Church until moving to Sauk Prairie, and was a current member of the First United Church of Christ in Sauk City.
She is survived by her son, Robert (Donna) Cruse of Sauk City; a sister, Verna Patterson of Middleton; 3 grandchildren, Robin (Todd Stark) Cruse, Micki Cruse, and Brian (Jennifer) Cruse; 6 great grandchildren and 1 great great grand-daughter; other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; an infant son and her sister, Carol Maggio.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Thursday, April 16, 2015 at the Franklin Grove Methodist Church in Franklin Grove, Ill. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service. Burial will follow in the Franklin Grove Cemetery. A funeral service was also held at 6:00 pm on Thursday, April 9, 2015 at First United Church of Christ in Sauk City, WI.