Wendell 'Butch' Krueger

Wendell “Butch” Krueger age 83, of Brainerd, MN passed away peacefully at his home on December 13, 2023. A Celebration of Life Gathering is planned for Friday, December 22, 2023 at Roosevelt Town Hall in Pine Center, MN from 1:00pm - 4:00pm

Butch Krueger was born to Henry and Luella (Leffler) Krueger on September 23, 1940, in Mankato, MN. Butch spent most of his childhood in Mankato until they moved to Pine Center, MN at the age of 14. Butch was in a man of many trades. He worked as a carpenter building houses around Platte Lake, Pine Center, and the Mille Lacs Lake areas. He worked on bumpers at North Star Plating. Butch was also a farmer of cows and pigs. Butch married Barbara (LaVassor) Krueger on April 20, 1968, at Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Brainerd, MN. Butch and Barb made a home and raised their three daughters in Pine Center in the house Butch lived in since he was 14 years old.

Butch enjoyed shooting trap, skeet, and sporting clay in the field outside his house and area gun clubs with Wealthwood Rod and Gun Club in Aitkin, MN being one of his favorites. You could find Butch in a boat on the many lakes around Pine Center. He would hunt whatever was in season at the time, especially duck, goose, grouse, pheasant, deer and turkey. Butch had daughters that did not enjoy hunting or fishing. He found a second chance in showing his grandkids. He enjoyed teaching those grandkids how to shoot, hunt and fish. He showed his grandkids all his favorite hunting and fishing spots. Butch enjoyed riding his golf cart around the yard. Butch enjoyed many dogs throughout his life. In recent years you could find Butch with his dog in the golf cart, under his shade tree, or in the car. Where Butch went the dog would be with. When Butch was not outside or working on his hobbies you could find him in his chair in front of the TV with a dog on his lap.

Butch is survived by his wife Barbara, daughters Susan Krueger, Wendy Krueger, and Kathy (Jonathan) Rosenberg, his grandchildren Gregory Rosenberg, Natalie, Nicholas, and Nathan Nash, Spencer Seelen, Michelle Zugschwert, great grandchildren Michael, Molly, and Melissa, and his sister Velma Cowell. Melissa was born on December 13, 2023, less than two hours after Butch passed way. Butch is also survived by his many nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.

Butch is preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, two sisters, several nephews, and nieces.

The family would like to give a special thank you to the hospice nurses and aides of Good Samaritan Society – Home Hospice Care.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Baxter.