Steve Kruso

Steve Joseph Kruso passed away on March 10, 2026, at the age of 74, surrounded by those he loved the most. He was a proud husband, father, and grandfather. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, making them laugh with his silly faces or playfully stealing their snacks. He spent many football Sundays at his son Alex's home, discussing the game and simply enjoying each other's company. Over the years, he embarked on many adventures to California to visit his daughter Megan and her family, celebrating birthdays and life events, and perhaps finding a favorite card room nearby. Nothing was more important to Steve than his family. If you ever met Steve Kruso, you likely walked away feeling like you'd made a new friend. That was just who he was. He could talk to anyone, and usually did. You could be standing behind him in a grocery store checkout line, and by the time you reached the register, he'd know your name, where you're from, and what your weekend plans were. The running joke in the home was, "Dad would talk to a rock." But he didn't just talk. He listened. He expressed gratitude. He shared a laugh. Steve connected with people everywhere he went. Steve was not only friendly, but profoundly generous and thoughtful. When friends came to help with something around the house, he'd meet them with coffee and breakfast. During his hospital stays or appointments, he would stop on his way out the door to personally thank every nurse and doctor who had taken care of him, and not a quick wave, but a real, heartfelt thank you. He noticed people, and he made sure they knew it. He spent most of his working life as a CT technologist at Beaumont Hospital, a place that gave him far more than a career. It's where he met his wife, Linda, after a mistaken phone call somehow led him to the right person. They spent the next 53 years building a life together. He also forged many of his closest lifelong friendships there, keeping in touch long after retirement. If Steve were writing this, he'd probably end by telling each of you how much you meant to him: The coworkers who became family, sharing countless laughs and lunches over the years. The deep friendships forged on the golf course over the last three decades. The friendly waitstaff at his favorite restaurant, who remembered his name, his story, and his regular order. The connections to his brothers, which only grew deeper with age. His wife, who always took the best care of him, even before he got sick last year. And his kids, who he was so proud of—everything they accomplished and the grandchildren they brought into his life. Steve is survived by his wife, Linda Kruso; his daughter Megan Backer and her husband Aaron of Oakland, California, and their children Oren (8) and Lily (4); his son Alex Kruso and his wife Lauren of Bloomfield Township, Michigan, and their children Steven (10) and Claire (5); and his brothers Mark Kruso and Dave Kruso. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lillian and Steve Kruso, and his brother Bruce Kruso. In lieu of flowers, his family asks that you honor Steve's memory by sharing your favorite story about him in the comments below. Or, better yet and in the spirit of Steve, we ask that you do something nice for someone, tell someone you love them, or finally make that call you've been putting off. Share your joy, love, or gratitude today, because you never know how much time you actually have left. His family will be hosting a memorial on April 9th at 215 West in Ferndale, MI. Please RSVP (https://tinyurl.com/SteveKruso) below if you think you might be able to come reminisce and pay tribute to a man we all loved. Please share a story or tribute at www.SullivanFuneralDirectors.com

Steve Kruso

April 29, 1951 - March 10, 2026