George J. Kruger
George J. Kruger, 93, of Plainview, died Sunday, April 18, 2021, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.
George was born March 18, 1928 in rural Plainview, to William and Ann (Norton) Kruger. He graduated from Plainview High School in 1947. George married Dorothy (Blee) Kruger on September 2, 1950; they remained happily married until her passing in 2015.
George started Kruger Implement in 1959, where he sold Allis Chalmers tractors and other equipment. After he sold Kruger Implement, he started a car dealership, named George’s Auto. George was a member of St. Joachim Catholic Church. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, a longtime volunteer on the Plainview Fire Department, and a Hospice Volunteer for over 20 years.
George enjoyed fishing and hunting and went on many memorable trips with family and friends. George also enjoyed playing cards and hosting weekly poker nights for family members in recent years. George was not known to rest; he enjoyed staying busy fixing, tinkering with or repurposing anything he could get his hands on. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was exceptionally charismatic, sincere, and altruistic; his smile and sense of humor were magnetic.
Survivors include his daughters, Sally (Vince) Fangman of Pine Island; Barbara (David) Walkes, Mary Lou (Bill) Schad and Deb (Jim) Kreofsky, all of Plainview; sons, Gerard (Marie) Kruger, of Plainview, and Pat (Robyn Dahl), of St. Charles; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; his brother, Ray Kruger of Wilmington, NC; his sister-in-laws Colleen Blee, of Florida, and Mildred Blee, of Illinois; his brother-in-law Jerry Blee, of Lake City.
He was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, infant daughter Linda, brothers Wilfred, Edward and LuVerne, and sisters Eileen Krieger, Margaret Barnes, Dorothy Mussell, Betty Booth, and Luella Kruger.
A private funeral service for family was held on Monday, April 26 at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church, with Rev. William Becker officiating. Burial will be in St. Joachim’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Mayo Hospice or St. Joachim’s Church in Plainview.
Schad & Zabel Funeral Home, 57 Third St. SW, Plainview, MN, 55964, 507-534-2003, Schadandzabelfuneralhomes.com.
