Kenneth Kruger

Kenneth H. "Ken" Kruger, age 76, of New Hope and Lake Minne Belle, MN, died Thursday, October 30, 2008 at the Lakeside Nursing Home in Dassel, MN. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Paul Lindhorst officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Monday at Johnson-Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield, MN and one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will be in the Ripley Cemetery in Litchfield, MN with Military Honors by the Litchfield Military Honor Guard. Kenneth Harold Kruger, one of five children of Carl and Elsie (Duehlmeier) Kruger, was born in Litchfield on May 25, 1932. For the first eight years of his education he attended school at District 94. At the age of 16, Kenneth graduated from Litchfield High School. Following graduation, Kenneth worked on the family farm as well as at Shorty Walters’ gravel pit. In 1956, he served in the United States Army and served in Germany. Upon his discharge in 1958, he joined the Reserves and finished his military service in 1960 serving in the Willmar reserves unit. Kenneth married the love of his life, LaVonne Varland, on April 29, 1961, at Beckville Lutheran Church in rural Litchfield. They made their home in Minneapolis and were blessed with two children, Lorie and David. For 33 years, Kenneth worked for Nabisco as a driver and delivering their products. During Kenneth’s life, Lake Minne Belle and the family farm was a very special place. Kenneth and LaVonne made Lake Minne Belle their second home spending nearly every available weekend at the lake. After retiring in 1994, Kenneth and LaVonne enjoyed spending summers at their home on Lake Minne Belle. Kenneth and LaVonne are members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Litchfield. On October 30, 2008, Kenneth died at the age of 76 while residing at Dassel Lakeside Community Home in Dassel. Kenneth is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, LaVonne of New Hope, MN; daughter Lorie (Don) Danielson of Lakeland, MN; son David (Kris Opheim) Kruger of Crystal, MN; grandchild Ryan Danielson of Lakeland, MN; sister Eleanor Beckstrand of Litchfield formerly of Apache Junction, AZ; and other loving relatives and friends. Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Clarence and Earl, and sister Jean Kennedy.