Mahala Kruchten

CROSS PLAINS-Mahala Kruchten, a treasured mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend passed away peacefully on February 11, 2015, at the age of 96 after a brief illness. She was at her home with her family by her side.

She will be dearly missed by her children, Joe (Kathy) Kruchten, Bill (Kaye) Kruchten, Mary Gillette (Charles Albrecht), Jean (Al) Niehus, Jack Kruchten, Kathy (Bill) Bladl, Larry (Suzan Graves) Kruchten, Donna Kruchten, and Evelyn (Doug) Bartells; 19 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; her sister, Arlene (Joe) Collins; and many nieces and nephews. Mahala was preceded in death by her husband, Albert, on May 23, 1999; her parents, Theodore and Louisa Dohm; her brothers, Vincent, Donald and Theodore Dohm, and sisters, RoseAnn Maier and Louise Maly.

Mahala was born April 27, 1918 in Madison, to Theodore and Louisa (Keichinger) Dohm. She was united in marriage on July 1, 1943, to Albert Kruchten and together they raised 9 children. When the children were grown, Mahala enrolled at MATC and earned a Food Service Supervisor Certificate. She put her education to good use at Rest Haven Nursing Home where she wrote menus and cooked for residents and staff retiring at the age of 70. Her life transitioned from working with a team of horses on the family farm in her youth to driving family and friends around with her car until she was well into her nineties. She was a role model for her children and instilled a strong work ethic in them. Her values centered on family, leading by example, becoming the definition of success. Family was of utmost importance to Mahala who was the true Heart of their Home. She will be remembered as a doting grandmother, organizer of family events, bread baker, donut maker, gardener, canner, babysitting grandmother, German polka dancer, Brewers fan, fisherwoman, euchre player and a woman who put other's needs ahead of her own.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, Feb. 16, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at St Martins Catholic Church in Martinsville. Rev Brian Dulli will officiate. Friends may call at the Winn-Cress Funeral Home, 5785 Hwy Q, Waunakee on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Friends may also call at the church on Monday from 10:00a.m.until the time of services.

Mahala was a member of St. Martin's Catholic Church for nearly 70 years and a Christian Mothers Society member. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church, 5959 St. Martin Circle, Cross Plains, WI 53528. A special thank you to Father Brian Dulli for his care and support.


Winn-Cress Funeral Home
5785 HWY Q, Waunakee
(608) 849-4513