Kathleen Kruk Obituary

Kathleen A. (Cox) Kruk Fort Atkinson, WI - Dr. Kathleen A. (Cox) Kruk MD, of Fort Atkinson, WI passed away from pancreatic cancer on Sunday, February 4, 2024, surrounded by family. Kathy was born on October 20, 1957, in Milwaukee, WI to Barbara (Boese) Huber. She was a graduate of Fort Atkinson High School. As a Joe Davies scholar, she received her undergraduate degree from UW-Oshkosh and her medical degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dr. Kathy married fellow medical student Michael Kruk April 28th, 1984 before beginning her medical career. She completed her residency training in Toledo, OH, becoming Board Certified in Family Medicine. Dr. Kathy proceeded to active military duty at Sheppard AFB as a member of the U.S. Air Force. As Major Kruk, Kathy served as Department Chief of Family Medicine during her final years on

duty. Upon leaving the service, Dr. Kathy returned to her hometown of Fort Atkinson, WI where she entered private medical practice with her husband Dr. Mike at the Fort Atkinson Medical Center.

In retirement, Kathy enjoyed watching her boys grow up, spending many days swimming, volleyball, and soccer. With the birth of her granddaughter Lily, Kathy tried to focus her time on spoiling Lily as much as possible. Kathy enjoyed traveling worldwide, running her family's hobby farm, and taking annual trips to California to visit her best friend, Mary. In recent years she developed a love of Biewer Terriers, breeding and showing Champions and Grand Champions.

Kathy was a woman who possessed many admirable qualities. She was especially known for her generous spirit and heartfelt kindness. She was always going above and beyond to help family members, friends, and patients in need, whether with hands-on help during complicated situations, with a compassionate ear, or with sage advice. She was a determined woman who didn't give up easily. The exact kind of person that anyone would want in their corner when facing a difficult situation.

While Kathy made her family and friends a priority in her life, another important part of her life was her faith. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Fort Atkinson's First Congregational Church UCC, as well as being a moderator of the church.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband Mike, and sons Alex of Fort Atkinson, WI and Eric (Jenny) and granddaughter Lily, Madison, WI; the Boese sisters: her mother Barbara Huber of Fort Atkinson, WI, aunts Skeeter (Stan) Johnson of Albert Lea, MN and Sally Smith of Algonquin, IL; sisters Debra Pierstorff

of Madison, WI, Tammy (Bryan) Green of Fort Atkinson, WI, and brother Michael (Laura) Cox of Jefferson, WI; Dr. Mike's brothers and sister and their spouses, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, especially her dear friend since college, Mary Tae. She was preceded in death by grandparents Mike and Dala Boese; mother-in-law Arline Kruk, father-in law Ronald Kruk and brothers-in-law John Kruk and Robert Pierstorff; aunt Billie (Boese) Bumbard, Uncle Bruce Bumbard, Janesville, WI and cousin DuWayne Smith.

A service and celebration of life will be held on June 2nd, with visitation at 10:30, followed by service at 11:00 at Fort Atkinson's First Congregation Church. A luncheon will follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Kathy's favorite charity, Heifer International, to help end poverty and hunger around the world.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the hospice nurses at the Madison, WI's VA hospital for the care and kindness they showed to Kathy and her family.