Just Kruse

Just Philip Kristian Kruse (born 17 September 1886 in Tune, Norway, dead 6 June 1962 in Hurdal, Norway) a Norwegian Principal, teacher and pastor, son of school teacher Andreas Hermansen Kruse (f. 1849) and Nicoline Nielsdatter, married 1919 to Grethe Eline Kruse f. Kinn (1893-1959) and the father of Colonel Erling O. Kruse and physiotherapist Astrid E. Kruse Andersen.

Kruse went to sea by the age of 15, but health problems made him leave the sea permanently after one and a half years. He got Examen artium and preliminary examinations and became house teacher for the two sons of works owner Tanberg at Hurdal works. In connection with this job he had a period in Italy. He finished College of Education and trade school and was engaged as a teacher at Heimly on Finnsnes. Later he was a teacer at Misjonssambandets school at Fjellhaug in Oslo.

After engineering exam in 1934 and praktikum in 1935, Kruse was engaged as pastor and teacher in Longyearbyen School at Svalbard. He went there in 1935 witht his famliy exept the oldest daughter, Sigrid, finising nursing education in Norway. The family was evacuated under dramatic circumstances from Svalbard. Sunday 31 August 1941 the people was gathered to a farewell serviceat at the church, Vår Frelsers, before leaving Longyearbyen. At the same day the curch had 20 years anniversary. Pastor Just Kruse gave a gripping and electrifying sermon. Captain Agnew of the cruiser HMS Aurora read the gospel and God Save the King and Ja vi elsker was sung. Within a few days the population left Longerbyen and was evacuated on RMS Empress of Canada and arrived in Glasgow, Skottland, 9 September 1941.

After the war Kruse became pastor in Salangen and Lavangen 1948-56. As retired he went to live in Hurdal where he from time to time was stand in for the priests of the aerea. He was aktiv i mission and church life, and well known for his good singers voice.

Litteratur

 * Kruse, Bård (1988): Kruseboka (in Norwegian).