Carol E. Kruger

Carol Eldene Kruger, 73 of Stewartville, Minnesota died unexpectedly of natural causes on  October 1, in Tonsberg, Norway.

Carol was born on November 14, 1949 in Conception, Minnesota to Harold and Eldene (Lindau) Hall. Carol attended St. Felix High School in Wabasha and graduated in 1967 before starting her studies at Viterbo University. She met the love of her life, Ken Kruger in 1964 at age 15 in Plainview, Minnesota and they married in 1972 in Conception Catholic Church. They moved to the Pleasant Grove Township in 1972 and started their life together.  In 1973 they welcomed a beautiful baby girl, Sara and over the next decade had three more children—all sons—Kevin, Timothy and Edward.  Carol worked in Stewartville in the Pre K Schools for many years before she started work with Minnesota Head Start in 1989 and continued with that organization for the better part of 25 years. Ken was employed at Erdmans and Wonderbread for a while until he worked at Hormel in Austin and retired from there.   

Kids were Carol’s passion – as evidenced by the incredibly tight knit relationship she had with her children and grandchildren. She had a mischievous sense of humor, an incredibly addictive laugh and a near constant twinkle in her eye. Carol loved to laugh and make others laugh. Carol adored her life, and all the adventures that came with it. Carol was a long time member of the St. Bridget’s Catholic Church in Simpson, Minnesota  and led the Church choir for many years and she cherished all the friendships and fellowship that came with the the church community.  Carol and Ken played cards regularly with a group and Carol loved volunteering her time at the Stewartville Adult Activity Center.  They both loved their winters in Panama City, Florida playing cards and enjoying the warm weather.                       

Carol went home to be with her Lord and Savior just days after an epic family trip to Ireland to celebrate her daughter’s 50th birthday while continuing her holiday in Norway—Carol loved Norway and the Klever family as her own after hosting Erik Klever in Minnesota in 1992 and his sister Marie in 1995 as a foreign exchange students. The immense gratitude to the Klever family for helping with arrangements in Europe and their unwavering friendship, love and loyalty is nearly impossible to put into words—so we say “thank you,” knowing there is much more to say.

Carol is survived by her husband Ken; daughter Sara (Chad) Butruff, Farmington, MN; Son Kevin Kruger (Megan Smith) Plainview, MN; Son Tim Kruger, Stewartville, MN; Son Edward (Merissa) Kruger, Rochester, MN; Norwegian Son Thor Erik (Solveig) Klever. Additionally, she is survived by 14 grandchildren and one great grandchild: Kyle, Severin, Trinity, Alexa, Isabella, Vilde, Viktoria, Clinton, Ava, Sophia,  Brysten, Zacharia, Emery and Finn, Great Grandson Roland; Carol is survived by her siblings Connie (Rich) Dailey, Richard (Janet) Hall, Bruce (Bev) Hall, Terry (Mary) Hall and Judy (Gene) Schneider and many Nieces and nephews.  She was blessed by strong friendships with so many loving people.  Carol is preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Eldene (Sally) Hall.

 A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 AM on Saturday October 21st at St. Bridget’s  Catholic Church in Simpson, MN, with Rev. Kevin Connolly officiating.  A wake will be Friday, October 20 at St. Bridgets from 4 – 8:00 PM.  The Kruger Family ask you to please consider a donation to the Meno Miller Family, who lost 2 daughters earlier in the month.  Carol and Ken are very close with this family. Condolences and memories of Carol are welcome at www.griffin-gray.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol E. Kruger, please visit our floral store.