Dorothy Ann Kruse, 77, of COLTS NECK, beloved wife and mother, passed away at Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, on Monday evening, Jan. 2, 2012. Dotsy, to those who loved her, was born in Jersey City, where she met her future husband, Hal, 60 years ago in the halls of Lincoln High School, eventually moving to Colts Neck 47 years ago. She was the first in her family to attend college, having received a teaching degree from Jersey City State Teachers College. After taking some time off to raise her children, she taught at Manalapan High School, attaining her masters degree in education. She retired from teaching in 1998. Dotsy loved her family, and her family adored her in return. She loved to cook, and decorate – particularly in the Victorian style. She was an avid reader, and enjoyed spending time at the beach, particularly Long Beach Island But most of all, she loved spending time with her husband, her children and her grandchildren, on whom she doted. She will live in their hearts forever. She was predeceased by her parents, John and Elizabeth, and her siblings Irene Thiel, Bette Maypother and John Koshuta. She is survived by her husband, Hal, of 55 years; her daughters Lisa Kruse, Lauren Kruse, Lenore Parisi and her husband Jerry, and Leslie Kruse and her husband Donald Taglialatella; her grandchildren, Bryce and Emma Taglialatella; her sisters, Martha Petruzzi, Helen Mahler and her husband Harry, Mary Koshuta and Marge Koshuta; her brothers-in-law, Raymond Kruse and his wife Bobbi, and Edward Maypother; and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ. A funeral service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday at the Colts Neck Reformed Church, 72 State Highway 537, Colts Neck.