John A. Kresse; Original Boys Town Resident
John A. Kresse, the last of the five boys Father Edward T. Flanagan took in to create Boys Town, has died at the age of 79.
Family members said he died here last week of cancer.
Kresse was a 12-year-old ward of Omaha’s Juvenile Court when Flanagan found him. With Kresse and four other boys, Father Flanagan borrowed $90 in 1917, rented an old house, and began a tradition of providing shelter for homeless boys that grew into the internationally famous Boys Town.
Kresse spent two years with Flanagan at Boys Town. He spent his life as a farmer.
Survivors includes his wife, a daughter, three stepdaughters, two stepsons, two sisters, 24 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
