William John Cruikshank

William "Bill" J. Cruikshank, 90, of Maple Lake, MN passed away on Friday, April 12, 2024.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 a.m. Monday, April 22, 2024, at St. Timothy's Catholic Church, in Maple Lake, with Fr. Kevin Magner as Celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Charles Cemetery. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Monday at the church.

Bill was born February 24, 1934, to William and Pearl (Rachel) Cruikshank at the family farm in rural Maple Lake, where he was raised. He went to Maple Lake Elementary School and High School, graduating in 1952. He then attended Dunwoody Institute and graduated in 1954 with a degree in drafting. 

On September 9, 1961, he was united in marriage to Kay Kuhlmann of Buffalo, MN at St. Timothy's Catholic Church, where he also received the sacraments of Baptism, Reconciliation, Eucharist, and Confirmation in his youth. St. Timothy's was important to him. He served on many church committees, including the building committee where he drew up the plans for the adoration chapel, was an usher, and a Eucharistic Minister. He also was a lifelong member of the Catholic Order of Foresters. Bill volunteered in other capacities as well including service as a member of the Maple Lake Lions Club, the Maple Lake School Board, and at the Buffalo wooden toy shop. 

He had a distinguished 55-year career in the construction industry. He commuted from Maple Lake to Minneapolis every day of his career. He worked for Paper Calmenson, Gruman Commercial Steel, Witcher Construction, and for the last 26 years of his career, at Kraus-Anderson Construction. 

Bill was passionate about his hometown and loved the people of Maple Lake. A former player and manager of the Maple Lake Laker amateur baseball team, he spent numerous hours both pre- and post-retirement in the ballpark as a field and maintenance worker. His wish was to live out his last days with his Maple Lake family, making himself available to help in any way that he could. 

Bill loved sports, coaching, and more than anything, watching his children play sports. He never missed a game, whether it was football, basketball, baseball, softball, or volleyball. With five children, that added up to attending countless games over many years. 

Surviving him are his wife, Kay; children, Patrick (Tammy), Timothy, Colleen, Thomas (Jennifer) and Cathleen (David) Effertz; 9 grandchildren, Jackson, Charles, Jay, Calvin, Jorey, Luke Effertz, Madison Effertz, Zoey Saphir and Michael Saphir; siblings-in-law, Wayne Dearing, Ann Cruikshank, Janet and Larry Munstenteiger, Gene and Jan Kuhlman, Bob and Sue Kuhlmann; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Marilyn Dearing; brother, Robert; and sister-in-law, Sharon Cruikshank.

Bill's grandchildren will serve as casket bearers. Krista Elsenpeter and Sarah Goelz will provide music for the service. Arrangements entrusted to Dingmann Funeral Care Burial and Cremation Services of Maple Lake.

Obituary, Guestbook, Video Tribute, and Funeral Webcast online at www.dingmannfuneral.com

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