Donald Kruger

Donald Paul Kruger, the son of Francis (Frank) and Hazel (Shuckhart) Kruger, was
born April 16, 1927 in Graceville, Minnesota. He was one of 14 children. His
Mother passed away when he was a young child and he was raised, in part, by the
Edward Boyle Family. He was happy to join the United States Navy in 1944, where
he served for four years as Seaman First Class during World War II. He married
Gertrude Morse in November of 1947. They lived in California and Oregon for a
short period. They started farming at Collis, Minnesota. They moved to the
Backus, MN area in 1963, and Don started working at the Durkee MFG Co. in Pine River.
He was also a Green Thumb Worker before he went to school and earned his Engineering
license. He then worked at the Backus School for 13 years. Next, he worked as the Chief
Engineer at Jefferson School in Little Canada, Minnesota, and also at schools in Grand Marias,Minnesota.

Donald enjoyed farming, fishing, hunting and traveling. He also enjoyed playing
badminton, checkers, and other games with his children. He resided at Brookside
Comfort Care in Pine River, Minnesota until the time of his death on July 2, 2010.

Don is survived by: his wife, Gertrude; his sons Francis and his wife Betty Anne of
Aurachtal, Germany; Mike and his wife Brenda of Ham Lake, MN; Mark and his wife
Elizabeth of Jenkins, MN;and daughters, Catherine Field and her husband
William of Longville, MN; Donna and Richard Blanchard of Pine River,
MN; and Ida Kruger and her husband Joseph Hanson of Rim Rock Arizona; 17
grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters Marjorie Gessner and Mary Haukos and
brother Paul.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters Ruth Guenther, Lila Davidson,
Lucille Stallman, Dorothy Rende, Esther Schwagel, and Pauline Kruger and brothers Jay,
Benjamin, Lawerence and Eugene.

The Memorial Service will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Browns Valley on
Sat. July 10th at 10:30 am. Interment at the Valley View Cemetery in Browns Valley
with reception following in the basement of St. Anthony Church.

Donald was a very loving and devoted husband and Father. He will be truly missed.