John Kruegel passed away on Saturday, June 8, 2024, at age 90, with family members by his side.
John Charles Kruegel was born on June 30, 1933, to Arlow and Mildred (Baker) Kruegel in Spring Valley. He grew up in Forestville until age 11 when his family moved to Spring Valley. He attended rural schools until the eighth grade.
While working at the local Spring Valley Drive-in Theater back in 1953, he stopped at the local drugstore and met his future wife, Rosalie Cooper. John and Rosalie were married on August 29, 1954. They raised five children: Leslie “Les”, Glenda, Julane, Richard and Robert.
John worked in construction for many years and later worked at Rendahl and Highum (then with Hunting Elevator) delivering feed and anhydrous to many area farmers. He eventually went to work at Spring Valley schools as a custodian until he retired in 1998. He drove cars for J.R. Motors for 20-plus years until the age of 84.
John and Rosalie enjoyed going antique shopping, camping at state parks around southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Trempealeau, Wis., was one of their favorite places to camp. They also enjoyed traveling along the North Shore, visiting towns in South Dakota, Wisconsin, Branson, Mo., and enjoyed a bus trip to Tennessee to the Smoky Mountains. After Rosalie passed away in 2006, John and his brother Myron would continue to go camping and they also traveled to Deadwood, S. Dak., twice a year. John enjoyed Sunday drives, going to rummage sales and auctions. He was an avid fan of the MN Twins and Vikings. He always looked forward to spending time with his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.
John is survived by his daughters Glenda (Steve) Knode and Julane (Mike) Gehrking of Spring Valley, his sons Richard of Preston and Robert of Edina, eight grandchildren: William Kruegel (Ivy Tesmer) of Preston, Shaun (Sheila) Knode and Scott (Katey) Knode of Spring Valley, Jessica (Ryan) Vasser of New Richmond, Wis., Amy Gehrking and Marly Gehrking (fiancée Mitchell Dempewolf) of Spring Valley, Darian Kruegel of Rochester and Lucas Kruegel of Edina; nine great-grandchildren: Cole, Bennett, Hadley, Charli, Laney, Karsynn, Hudson, Ava and Dustin; along with nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Rosalie, son Les, daughter-in-law Marie Kruegel, two grandsons and his brother Myron.
There will be a visitation at Hindt Funeral Home in Spring Valley on June 12 from 10-11 a.m. A private family burial will take place at Forestville Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Croix Hospice, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church or the Spring Valley Historical Society.