Meet The Southern Family Behind Blue Bell Ice Cream Since 1919

Blue Bell Ice Cream has been a staple sight in Southern grocery freezers for generations. Since it began in 1907 as a small Texan dairy co-op called the Brenham Creamery Company, its various flavors — including small-batch, in-store-only options that make a trip to Blue Bell's ice cream parlors worthwhile — have delighted ice cream lovers. In 1911, the brand began its ice cream production, and in 1930, the Blue Bell name was cemented in honor of the flower that is native to Texas.

In 1919, with the struggling creamery failing to turn a profit under two separate managers, its board looked to a 23-year-old former schoolteacher named E.F. Kruse. Kruse was still serving in the Army at the time when he was appointed general manager. Kruse helped turn operations around, even refusing to cash his own paychecks to help keep the company out of the red. Under his watch, the business grew. Kruse maintained his position until his death in 1951, and his sons Ed and Howard led the company after. 

Ed Kruse didn't simply inherit the company; he grew up inside it. He began working at Blue Bell when he was 13, followed not long after by his brother Howard. Both Ed and Howard studied dairy science at Texas A&M before returning to run the plant. At 23 years of age, Ed stepped into leadership after E.F. Kruse died. Ed stayed on Blue Bell's board until his death in 2015. Ed's son, Paul, later became the third generation of the family to run Blue Bell.

By the time Paul Kruse retired as CEO in 2017, his daughter had already joined the company, setting the foundation as the fourth generation of Kruses working at Blue Bell. Paul was replaced by the first leader outside the family, Ricky Dickson. Though Blue Bell's leadership now includes members outside the Kruse family, the Kruse name remains strongly linked with Blue Bell — a brand that, despite being beloved, isn't found in every store in America – and the Kruses maintain a presence on the board of directors.