Written by

Dee Loflin, SMT Manager/Editor

Dexter, Missouri – It all began in 1999 as a way for good friends to get together and do something good for others in the community.  Today, it has given hope and a helping hand to those fighting cancer.

This extraordinary weekend is here and it all begins tonight with a banquet to dedicate the memory of Ben Kruse, who together with his brother Scott, and some friends, wanted to do something great to genuinely help people in need.

When Ben’s life was tragically cut short in August of 2004, his work was carried on through his brother and all who came together on that first weekend so many years ago. 

The Ben Kruse 18FORE Life Foundation has given over one million dollars in love offers thanks to the kind and generous donations of people in our community.

The legendary Dorrel Norman Elvert “Whitey” Herzog will be tonight’s speaker at their annual banquet.   White led the St. Louis Cardinals to win the 1982 Worlds Series and made two other World Series appearances in 1985 and 1987.  He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 25, 2010 and will be inducted into the St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum on August 16, 2014.  The St. Louis Cardinals retired the number “24”, which he wore during his managerial tenure with the club. 

Ben Kruse 18 FORE Life Charity Golf will also be held this weekend beginning with the banquet tonight at the Elks Lodge on Two Mile Road in Dexter.  Doors open at 4:30 p.m. with dinner at 6:00 p.m.  Saturday tee times are 7:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. at the Hidden Trails Country Club with a 4 person scramble, silent auction, and dinner to follow.

We thank Scott and Kerri Kruse for all of their hard work, dedication, and the tremendous efforts of bringing hope to so many in our community.  Celebrate/Give/Remember!