Obituary for Jerry Leroy Krueger
Jerry L. Krueger, 79, passed away with his family by his side on Saturday, May 25th, 2019 at Park View Health Center.
Growing up Jerry was quite the athlete, winning several ice skating medals, playing football and baseball. But he was also a rebel, driving motorcycles and getting himself into trouble. Jerry graduated from the school of hard knocks and married his high school sweetheart Susan J. Reynolds in 1961, children soon followed. That same year Jerry enlisted in the US Army, changing his life forever. He served overseas in Germany during the Berlin Wall crises. He reached the rank of SPC 5 and received an honorable discharge in 1964. He would proudly produce his DD214 if asked.
Jerry worked at Rockwell International (“the big outfit”) retiring in 1994 after 30 years and 6 months of service. He was a proud UAW member and always looked for the "made in America" label on any purchase. In 2007, Jerry was inducted into the Oshkosh West Athletic Wall of Fame for years of service, fundraising and coaching. He was also inducted into the Speed zone Walk of Fame in 2016, recognizing him for his years as a racecar driver, Barney's wrecker operator, flag man and fan.
Jerry was very much involved in the local sports scene: coaching YMCA tackle football (Rams), Junior (Pepsi) and Senior Babe Ruth baseball teams. He regularly attended several high school sporting events each week, but his favorite team was always Oshkosh West (he would always say “soon to be WIAA State Champions”). Over the years Jerry was a coach (freshman baseball), mentor, friend and supporter of Oshkosh West athletics. He truly bled Oshkosh West Blue!
Later in life, Jerry enjoyed fishing on Pioneer drive and his morning visits to Hardee's with his friends to solve the world’s problems and weekly Thursday breakfasts at Jackie’s in Winneconne or Mike’s Place in Oshkosh.
Jerry is survived by his children: Todd (Mary) Krueger, Andrew (Linda) Krueger, and Amy Krueger-Smith, grandchildren: Michael, Kelley, Brandy, Whitney, Jordan and Justin, great granddaughter: Elena and sister in-law: Sharon Liese and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Susan, son Jerry, parents Walter and Ann Krueger, siblings Jim, Michelle (Cookie) and Joyce and his best friend Gerald “O’ Fish” Hensel.
Jerry's family will greet relatives and friends on Monday, June 3rd from 1:00-5:00 in the chapel at Lake View Memorial Park, 2786 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh. Military honors will be presented at 5:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be forwarded to Oshkosh West Athletics and the Veterans Home at King.
The family of Jerry would like to thank the staff at Park View Health Center for the compassionate care given to Jerry during his time there.
Growing up Jerry was quite the athlete, winning several ice skating medals, playing football and baseball. But he was also a rebel, driving motorcycles and getting himself into trouble. Jerry graduated from the school of hard knocks and married his high school sweetheart Susan J. Reynolds in 1961, children soon followed. That same year Jerry enlisted in the US Army, changing his life forever. He served overseas in Germany during the Berlin Wall crises. He reached the rank of SPC 5 and received an honorable discharge in 1964. He would proudly produce his DD214 if asked.
Jerry worked at Rockwell International (“the big outfit”) retiring in 1994 after 30 years and 6 months of service. He was a proud UAW member and always looked for the "made in America" label on any purchase. In 2007, Jerry was inducted into the Oshkosh West Athletic Wall of Fame for years of service, fundraising and coaching. He was also inducted into the Speed zone Walk of Fame in 2016, recognizing him for his years as a racecar driver, Barney's wrecker operator, flag man and fan.
Jerry was very much involved in the local sports scene: coaching YMCA tackle football (Rams), Junior (Pepsi) and Senior Babe Ruth baseball teams. He regularly attended several high school sporting events each week, but his favorite team was always Oshkosh West (he would always say “soon to be WIAA State Champions”). Over the years Jerry was a coach (freshman baseball), mentor, friend and supporter of Oshkosh West athletics. He truly bled Oshkosh West Blue!
Later in life, Jerry enjoyed fishing on Pioneer drive and his morning visits to Hardee's with his friends to solve the world’s problems and weekly Thursday breakfasts at Jackie’s in Winneconne or Mike’s Place in Oshkosh.
Jerry is survived by his children: Todd (Mary) Krueger, Andrew (Linda) Krueger, and Amy Krueger-Smith, grandchildren: Michael, Kelley, Brandy, Whitney, Jordan and Justin, great granddaughter: Elena and sister in-law: Sharon Liese and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Susan, son Jerry, parents Walter and Ann Krueger, siblings Jim, Michelle (Cookie) and Joyce and his best friend Gerald “O’ Fish” Hensel.
Jerry's family will greet relatives and friends on Monday, June 3rd from 1:00-5:00 in the chapel at Lake View Memorial Park, 2786 Algoma Blvd, Oshkosh. Military honors will be presented at 5:00. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be forwarded to Oshkosh West Athletics and the Veterans Home at King.
The family of Jerry would like to thank the staff at Park View Health Center for the compassionate care given to Jerry during his time there.