KRUEGER, Rev. Kenneth William

Rev. Kenneth William Krueger Nov 6, 1944 – Dec 7, 2015 Ken was born in Waukegan, Illinois on November 6, 1944 to Elmer and Ann Krueger. He had an older brother, David, and a younger sister Carole, and the family lived in Gurnee, Illinois. He attended Gurnee Grade School and Warren Township High School where he loved and excelled at many sports including football, basketball, baseball and golf. He was also a lifeguard, President of the Student Council and played piano and sang. The family was active in church and were one of the founding families at Bethel Lutheran Church nearby. After high school Ken enrolled at Iowa State University where he graduated with a degree in Distributive Studies. He completed four years in Air Force ROTC until being released so he could attend the seminary. His decision to enter the seminary came under the guidance of his college pastor, Bill Fields. His vicarage was at Zion Lutheran Church in Hopkins, Minnesota. His first call was to St. Martin’s Lutheran Church in Winona, Minnesota. He was ordained there and served as assistant pastor to the Rev. Armin Deye for six years. These were busy years with preaching, teaching, parochial school, weddings and funerals. He had over fifteen calls until he finally accepted the call to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Iowa Falls, Iowa in 1976. He served as the pastor at Immanuel until 2009. During his time at Iowa State, Ken met Ruth Elaine Meyer from Reinbeck, Iowa. They were married in August of 1967 and lived in Springfield, Illinois, where they welcomed their first son, Andrew William in January of 1971. While in Winona, Minnesota, Kathryn Marie was born in May of 1973 and Daniel Robert in June of 1976. Two more little girls were added after moving to Iowa Falls, Iowa. Rebekah Ann was born in September of 1979 and Sarah Elizabeth in March of 1982. Ken loved teaching his children all kinds of sports and coached several of their teams. Over the years Ken and Ruth traveled to hundreds of games and matches. Ken also planned annual family vacations that often included extended family. Family pictures and movies chronicled the adventures that usually involved boating, swimming, golfing, and the occasional water balloon slingshot. In 1994 Andrew Nicholas “Drew” joined the family and he and mom, Katie, would often be at Uncle Dan’s and Aunts Becky’s and Sarah’s games. In later years the family would gather to watch him play football. Dan married April Feidler on February 7, 2004 in a cold, snowy Iowa Falls. Conner, aged 6, joined the clan. Tragedy struck when Dan was killed in an accident in Houston, Texas in 2007. Daniel Robert Krueger, Jr. was born in November of 2007. Andy married Jackie Lang in September of 2010, joining the family with daughter Jessica, age 18. Sarah married husband Brad the following year, bringing along the entire family to Hawaii for the ceremony. After retiring in 2009, Ken lived in Iowa Falls, Ames, Blair, Nebraska and Omaha. He had developed Parkinson’s Disease and it took a toll on his body and life. He golfed as he was able, watched Drew play sports in high school and college and enjoyed visits and eating out with his children. He spent the last year at Hillcrest where he was well taken care of and he continued to make friends as he had all his life. Preceded in death by son, Dan Krueger; parents, Elmer and Ann Krueger. Survived by son, Andy (Jackie) Krueger of Houston, Texas; daughters: Katie Krueger of Omaha, NE, Becky Krueger of Ankeny, IA, and Sarah (Brad) Untiedt of Austin, TX; grandchildren: Drew, Conner, Danny, and Jessica; brother, David Krueger of Prospect Heights, IL; sister, Carole (Ed) Shinton of Libertyville, IL; sister-in-law, April Krueger of Houston, TX. VISITATION begins Saturday, December 12th at 1:00 p.m.,followed by FUNERAL SERVICE at 2:00 p.m., all at the Chapel of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Omaha, NE. Officiant: Rev. David Splett. A time of fellowship will follow the service. Memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at https://www.michaeljfox.org/tribute/tribute-page.php?id=18971

HEAFEY-HOFFMANN DWORAK & CUTLER Mortuaries and Crematories 7805 West Center Road Omaha, Nebraska 68124 (402) 391-3900

1 Condolence

  • Mary Elizabeth Gray Posted July 5, 2021 12:04 pm

    Kenny, I am your first cousin on your Mother’s side of the family- ( Aunt Dorothy’s child)…Kenny…Your brother, David, just passed away on July 1st, 2021. I am heart broken at losing you both. Carole is now your only surviving sibling. Please know that I love you, David and your parents and miss you all terribly. David and I had wonderful, long telephone conversations as we grew older which I will greatly miss. He was so reinforcing to me.
    May you all rest in peace forever and keep a watchful, protective eye out for we who still walk the Earth. Love, Cousin Mary

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