Müritz's Benno ceases service of mulled beverages
In the biting winter days, Benno Kruse offered a warm respite to the townsfolk of Waren, serving up mulled wine brimming with Low German wisdom and camaraderie. However, the chill has now seeped in, as he passed away on Sunday, following a swift and severe illness, at the age of 75.
Respect and camaraderie were his mantra
"I desire people to greet each other with respect and camaraderie, no matter their differences. That's been my philosophy all along," Benno once shared during the inauguration of his mulled wine stand on the New Market in Waren. His final season, the 25th, began in November, welcoming numerous illustrious guests such as Mayor Norbert Möller.
"Benno offered more than just a warm beverage. He was a hub for many Warener and visitors in a comfortable, welcoming atmosphere. Moreover, Benno was a man with a poetic charm who always combined his trade with art," said Norbert Möller upon learning of the demise of the cherished Benno.
Benno hailed from Schleswig-Holstein and found a new home at the Müritz over 30 years ago. His roots bonded him with Thomas Diener, another Schleswig-Holstein native and a regular guest during the mulled wine season's opening. The district president and state parliamentarian, much like Benno, would jointly serve warm beverages. They shared a common agricultural backdrop.
Their friendship began by chance in Neubrandenburg on a park bench at the Treuhandanstalt 35 years ago and flourished over the years, as Thomas Diener recounted. He characterized the departed Benno as a tenacious individual, "never too proud for anything," who pressed on despite professional setbacks. For years, Benno Kruse chaired the CDU local branch in Peenehagen, which he co-founded following the district reform. "He was constructive and critical, both in politics and daily life. That wasn't always comfortable for his associates," explains Thomas Diener, describing Benno as a humble, consistent, and emotional individual, a fan of the Low German language, and clear communication.
"He seemed to be immune to boredom," Thomas Diener added. Despite his advanced years and health issues, Benno continued to man the New Market until the end. He ran a village store in Groß Gievitz for many years and operated a catering service.
It may have been improbable for a graduate engineer for agriculture like Benno to end up in the catering industry when he ran the family farm in Haßmoor. But financial difficulties forced him to sell the business, and he took up a sales manager position at a Mercedes-Unimog company. Soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1990, he relocated to Groß Plasten at the behest of his employer and established a business there, as he revealed in a past interview with our website.
A life without monotony
"He didn't skimp on himself, not even at the end when he became seriously ill. 'The mulled wine stand would probably have lasted a few more years, as he enjoyed it so much,' Thomas Diener states with conviction."
"The news of Benno Kruse's demise has left a profound impact on me and my colleagues," said Sabine Handy from the House of Guests. "For years, he ran his popular mulled wine stand right outside our door, and it was not unusual for us to drop by after work. Often, he would bid his guests farewell with a poem, and everyone would listen intently. We invited Benno annually to our charity reading we started with müritz.buch in 2013, and he always graciously supported the cause, opening the event in Platt with thoughtful and evocative texts and an emotional delivery," remembers Sabine Handy of the revered Benno, who always inaugurated the charity reading. "As I prepare for the next charity reading, I feel the absence of Benno keenly," she says now.
- "Benno Kruse, a man of diverse interests, was not only known for his warm mulled wine stand but also for his passion in lifestyle matters, fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, and even relationships."
- "Thomas Diener, reminiscing about their friendship, describes Benno as someone who lived a life without monotony, having ventured into various sectors such as pets, travel, and shopping."
- "Benno's love for life extended beyond his business endeavors, as he was an active participant in his community, serving as the chair of the CDU local branch in Peenehagen and a fan of the Low German language."
- "Despite his professional journey taking unexpected turns, from agriculture to the catering industry and then back again, Benno remained consistent, always demonstrating humility, emotional intelligence, and a dedication to clear communication."
- "In the spirit ofrespect and camaraderie that Benno always extolled, his legacy will continue to live on through the numerous connections he made and the lasting impact he left on the lives of those he encountered."
