Sandra Ross Kruse

Sandy Ross Kruse, beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, lived her life with joy, purpose, and love until her very last day. Her greatest devotion was to her family, especially her children, whom she nurtured with endless love, unwavering support, and fierce protection. Her legacy is one of strength, resilience, deep compassion, and a radiant smile that could light up any room.

Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Sandy moved to Colorado as a child and considered it her true home. Her father, Fred, served in the U.S. Air Force, and her mother, Yasuko, whom he met while stationed in Japan, devoted their life to raising their family. Sandy grew up primarily in Colorado alongside her older sister and best friend, Christine. Sandy also spent parts of her childhood living in Turkey and Hawaii. From an early age, Sandy showed a deep artistic talent, a gift she passed on to her son Colton. Over time, Sandy developed a love for travel and a love for all-things-Disney.

She graduated from Overland High School in Aurora, Colorado, where she forged friendships that lasted a lifetime. She went on to attend the University of Colorado Boulder, joining the Tri Delta sorority and, once again, built lifelong bonds. Sandy began her career in the automotive industry before discovering her true calling in real estate, becoming a respected Realtor known for her integrity and her warmth.

In 2003, Sandy met the love of her life, Steven Kruse, while working for a homebuilding team. They quickly fell in love; they married at Red Rocks in 2005; and they built a beautiful life together! In 2008, they welcomed their son, Lucas, a careful and creative soul who mirrors his mother’s spirit in those and other ways. In 2011, they welcomed their second son, Colton, who embodies his mother’s artistic and caring attributes. Sandy loved being a mother and cherished every moment with her family.

Sandy was also an animal lover, filling her home with pets who brought her joy, including her surviving pets: dogs (Phoebee and Joey), her cat (Kimey), and a lizard (James). She found a treasured circle of friends in their neighborhood of Southshore, known fondly as the “Southshore Besties,” who supported her throughout the last years of her life.

In 2021, Sandy was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, Neuroendocrine Cancer, and faced her journey and fought with unparalleled courage and grace. With the support of Dr. Eric Liu, her friends, and her family, Sandy explored every option with steadfast determination and hope. She approached every day with optimism and offered encouragement to others in the neuroendocrine cancer community. She was an active member of both online and in-person neuroendocrine cancer support groups, offering comfort and encouragement to others even as she faced her own battle.

Sandy’s strength and spirit will continue to live on through her family and all who were lucky enough to know her. She will be deeply missed. However, she will be remembered in the laughter of family, Disney trips, the beauty of travel, and in enduring acts of kindness shared in her honor.

Sandy is preceded in death by: Sylvester Ross (grandfather), Nellie Ross (grandmother), Masuko Tsukada Saito (aunt), Nancy Wilson (aunt), Daniel Wison (uncle), Gill Ross (uncle), Julies James “Buddy” Beck (uncle), Michael Kruse (father-in-law), Kimley Kruse (mother-in-law)

Sandy is survived by:
Her loving husband, Steven Kruse; her sons, Lucas Kruse and Colton Kruse; her parents, Fred Ross and Yasuko Ross, married 57 years; her sister, Christine Ross; her sister- and brother-in-law, Valerie Kopetzky and Brian Kopetzky; her nieces and nephews, Anya Kopetzky, Cora Kopetzky, Jackson Pierce, Kennedy Pierce, and Quinn Kopetzky; her aunt, Janette Beck; uncles, Masayuki Tsukada and Shunsuke Saito; cousins, Janice Wade, Rae Sterie, Doug Wilson, Marie Tsukada, Kazuyuki Tsukada, Tadayuki Tsukada, Maruyuki Tsukada, Keisuke Saito, Rysuke Saito.