Donald L Kruger

George, IA 

     Donald Kruger, age 93 of George, IA passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2020 at Good Samaritan Society in George, IA.

     Due to the mandated health care precautions, a Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.

     Condolences to the family can be offered on the Jurrens Funeral Home website. 

Donald L. Kruger Memorial Folder PDF

    Donald L. Kruger was born October 30, 1926 at Little Rock, IA the son of John A. and  Etta Janssen (Kruger DeBerg )Schol.  Don grew up near Little Rock IA where he attended country school and later George Schools.  Don was united in marriage to Leona M. Jans on March 7, 1951 at the Little Rock Presbyterian Church Parsonage at Little Rock, IA.  They made their home at George, IA for all 69 years of marriage. 

     Don left school in the 8th grade to help provide for his mom and siblings.  In his younger years, Don worked at Siebring Manufacturing operating industrial machinery.  Don worked as a carpenter for several years and was a town cop in George, where he is remembered for letting the kids have fun on Halloween because they “always cleaned up whatever mess they made.”  Don sold Moorman's Feeds for many years and every kid and dog he met, loved to see him come on the yard with Moorman’s chicklets and dog food, both treats he always carried with him in his truck.  After retirement from Moorman's, he went back to work as a welder at Siebring Manufacturing for a few years.  Don made yearly fishing trips to Canada in the summer, recruiting various friends and family to experience Canadian fishing.  He was an avid outdoors-man, who guided fishing groups at Baker's Point at Spirit Lake, IA.

     Don was known for his famous meals of fish, cooked only as Don Kruger would allow it.  He hunted and trapped everything possible and passed on that love for the outdoors to all of his kids and grand-kids.  He was a master gardener and took pride in straight rows and bountiful produce.  Don was always up for a game of pinochle and was a pro at counting trump.  Of the many hands of pinochle he played over the years, a few outstanding hands resulted in his picture “getting on the board” in the Kruger garage, a goal for anyone who played the game at their house.  

     In March of 2017, Don became a resident of Good Samaritan Society-George where he enjoyed bingo, pinochle and especially enjoyed visitors during coffee hour.  He was very fond of his friend Dwight, the gardener.  He was a member of Ebenezer Presbyterian Church, various bowling associations, 4H sponsor and was on the planning committee for the Lyon County Conservation Dept and helped plan the Lake Pahoja Reservoir.

     Don is survived by his wife, Leona M. Kruger of George;  his children, Douglas & Marcene Kruger of New Bern, NC; Daryl Kruger of Wichita, KS; Denny & Diane Kruger of Goessel, KS; Lori & Todd Carstensen of George, IA; grandchildren, Jesse & Kim Kruger of New Bern, NC; Matthew & Angie Kruger of Lakeville, MN; Sarah Kruger of Wichita, KS; Destini & Brice Wilson of Moncks Corner, SC; Derek Kruger of Wichita, KS; D'Ambra & Justin Hinsley of Wichita, KS; Dane Kruger of Hays, KS; Brett Carstensen of Ft Riley, KS; Taylor & fiance Logan Rus of Sioux Center, IA and Spencer Carstensen of George, IA.  Great-Grandchildren: Hailey McConnell, Sonya Kruger, Logan Kruger, Bella & LeoWilson; and brother and wife, Arvin & Gerry DeBerg of Belding, MI.

     He was preceded in death by his parents, John A. Kruger and Etta Janssen Kruger DeBerg Schol; son, David Kruger; brothers, John (Bud) and wife Helen Kruger, Ira and wife Darlene Kruger, Mearl & wife Alida Kruger, Frances Kruger; sisters, Elva & husband Art Steenhoven, Hazel & husband Bill Grotluschen and Katie & husband Ken Petersen.