Evald Kruut

Evald was born in a small farmhouse in the village of Valaste, Estonia. Evald is the son of the late Robert and Lenna (Teiva) Kruut and was the eldest of three brothers and enjoyed being a boy until age 16. During this WW2 time, Evald had to say goodbye to both mother and father and his brothers to never see them again – only communications by air post throughout the years. By the wonderful grace of God, he not only survived World War II, but completed his secondary education in the British occupation zone, in Germany. and had spent 5 years in various refugee camps. He came to the United States in January 1950, under the Displaced Person's Act, which had been recently signed by President Truman.  This law allowed about half a million refugees from the communist countries to enter the US outside of the usual quota system.

In 1954, Evald graduated from Macalester College, St Paul, Minnesota, and in 1960 from the University of Minnesota with a master's degree in library science. Subsequently, he was hired by Dow Corning Corporation, where he established a small technical library at the semiconductor Division, where he performed various tasks of technical nature until 1973, when he accepted the position of Executive Director, Veteran Memorial Library in Mt Pleasant, Michigan.

During his tenure of 19 years, a new main library was constructed and the number of libraries in the Isabella County increased from two to five.  In 1964 Evald and Lilja Silvia Riim, a textile artist/designer, were married in the historic Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church https://www.gachurchnyc.org/ in New York City.  The marriage was blessed with one son, Thomas, an eagle scout, and mechanical research engineer, and four grandchildren.

Evald also served twice as president of the local Boy Scout Troop.  He retired in 1991.  Throughout his life, Evald maintained a lively interest in foreign languages and in creative writing.  In 2005 he published a collection of poems and translations; Arrival and departure: twenty poems .  This collection is sold out, but copies thereof are available in all local libraries.

Later he also wrote a collection of poems in the Estonian language.  Evald is considered a Michigan author by the Clarks Historical Library.  A translation of a poem, Christmas Greeting 1941, which was printed in a Canadian newspaper, especially elicited a great deal of positive response; among them – the wife of the President of the Republic of Estonia and Pope Benedict XVI. Music always interested Evald, and he bought a very good violin, back in the 1950's and practiced on that and took piano lessons later as well. Reading books and studying language was a passion of his and he spent many hours in his favorite spot on the couch. Evald is survived by his wife, Lilja; and son, Thomas married to Lily Gidvani-Kruut, and both residing in Richmond Texas; grandchildren, Andrew, Nathalie, Carlos and Annalie Kruut.  Thomas's daughter Nathalie is expecting a new baby boy in May and that would be Evalds first great grandchild, Evald was preceded in death by both parents; baby sister and one baby brother.

A celebration of life for Evald will be celebrated on April 20, 2023, at 11am at the Zion Lutheran Church with Pastor Jonathon Bakker officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the celebration. Donations may be made to The Salvation Army or Veterans Memorial Library – Children's Department. Envelopes will be available at the church or funeral home.  To sign the online guest book or leave a condolence for the family please visit www.CharlesRLux.com.