Lawrence "Dutch" Edwin Kruger

Sibley, IA 

     Lawrence "Dutch" Kruger age 89 of Sibley, IA died Friday, December 11, 2020 at the Country View Manor in Sibley.

     A private family memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at the Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley, with Pastor Troy Van Beek officiating.

     Burial will take place at a later date at the Holman Township Cemetery in Sibley.

     Public visitation will be Wednesday, December 16^th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Jurrens Funeral Home of Sibley. Social distancing guidelines will be followed, and masks are encouraged.

     Lawrence Edwin Kruger was born on May 6, 1931, Holman Township, Osceola County, Iowa, the son of Conrad and Lida (Onken) Kruger.

     He grew up on a farm near Sibley IA. Went to country school then Sibley High School. Graduated in 1949. He participated in track, basketball, and football.

     He entered the Army in 1952 and was honorably discharged in 1954 as a Sergeant, 1^st Class. He was a Tank Commander with Company A, 62nd Tank Battalion. He served overseas in the Korean War.  

     He worked for the ASCS Office, surveying land while farming with his father. After marrying Audra Jones, they settled on the farm and had four children. He began working at Chase Bag Inc. in 1972 while still farming 160 acres. He ran one of the popcorn machines there for 35 years retiring in 2007.

     He was an avid fisherman enjoying the local lakes and his trips to Canada with friends. He loved hunting with his sons for deer and pheasants. He was on a bowling team for many years. He especially loved gardening. He grew a wide variety of vegetables in his large garden each year and liked to share the bounty with family, friends, neighbors, and his co-workers at the bag factory. He was always willing to share gardening tips with his children and grandchildren.

     He was a member of the local American Legion and VFW for many years.  He attended Trinity Reformed Church in Sibley until it closed and then was a member at First Reformed in Sibley.

     He spent the last few years at Country View Manor until his death.     

     Dutch is survived by his children, Chuck (Katha) Kruger, Sibley, IA, their children Steve Kruger, Justin Kruger, & Jesse (Cassie) Kruger, Cory (Gordie) Wiertzema, Worthington, MN, their children, Sara Wiertzema, and Jordan (Joe) Ahrens, Carol (Perry) Brinkman, Klemme, IA, Mike (Jodi) Van Westen, and their children Shaylee & Philip and Cary (Jason) Reuter, Sibley, IA and their children, Skylar, Nicholas, and Cora. Nanetta Rodriguez, and Daniel Hanson.  His great-grandchildren, Caison, Brayden, Mia and Letty, many nieces, and nephews.    

     He was preceded in death by his children, Cathy Kruger, Conrad Kruger, Cecil (Gayle) Hanson, Sibley, IA, his parents, Conrad & Lida Kruger, Sibley, IA, his sisters & brother–in-laws Helen & Albert Helmers, Rushmore, MN, Eunice & George Nebelsick, Harris, IA, Nina & Vernell Perry, Sheldon, IA, his first wife, Audra.