Donald R. Krueger, age 92, passed away on Sunday, July 1, 2018, at St. Lucas Care Center, Faribault, Minnesota.
Donald was born March 1, 1926, in Merrill, Wisconsin, son of the late Reinhard and Ella (Pruesser) Krueger. He married Betty J. Emanuel on May 15, 1948, in Trinity Lutheran Church, Merrill. She preceded him in death on September 9, 2016. Donald had owned and operated “Krueger’s Place” in Doering, Lincoln County, Wisconsin, for 14 years. While operating the tavern, Donald managed to maintain two baseball diamonds and up to five baseball teams every year. Prior to operating the tavern, Donald farmed, and along with his brother, Leonard, co-owned and operated ‘Krueger Excavating and Trucking’. Donald’s early career consisted of heavy equipment operation for Musson Brothers of Rhinelander, and the former Bosio Construction. In retirement, Donald built and operated ‘South Bay Enterprises’, a self-storage unit company located in St. Germain, Wisconsin. He was also a past town chairman for the town of Schley, Lincoln County. Donald was a member of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Eagle River, and the Virginia Falls Masonic Lodge, Merrill, Wisconsin. Donald served in the U.S Navy during World War II, and was honorably discharged in 1946. He went on the Never Forgotten Honor Flight in 2011 and was escorted by his son, Greg. He enjoyed deer hunting and spending time with family and friends, especially his grandsons when they would visit him in the summer.
Survivors include his son, Greg (Bonnie) Krueger, Owatonna, Minnesota; two grandsons, Blake Krueger, Winona, Minnesota, and Brent (Cassey) Krueger, Madison Lake, Minnesota; great grandson, Lucas Krueger of Madison Lake; one sister, Jeanette Sommi, Merrill; two brothers, Kenneth (Mitzi) Krueger, Wausau, and Leonard (Sharon) Krueger, Gleason; his in laws, JoAnn Johnson, Merrill, and Harvey (Betty) Emanuel, Palm Coast, Florida; and many nieces and nephews. Besides his wife of 68 years, Betty Krueger, and his mother and father, Donald is preceded in death by one sister, Dorothy (Bill ) Hommerding; brother in law, Jake Sommi; and other in laws, Roger (Darla) Emanuel, Elaine (Pat) Gano, Mary Ann (Donald) Riebe, and Jerry Emanuel.
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS, MEMORIALS MAY BE DIRECTED TO OUR SAVIOR’S CHURCH, EAGLE RIVER, OR THE NEVER FORGOTTEN HONOR FLIGHT.
The funeral will begin at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 7, 2018, at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, Wisconsin. The Rev. Matthew Bless will officiate. Burial will follow in Merrill Memorial Park Cemetery, Merrill, with graveside military rites conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 9:30 AM on Saturday at the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com.