James Lawrence Krueger

James Lawrence Krueger, age 83, of Madelia, died on January 2, 2024, at Oaklawn Rehabilitation Center in Mankato.

Visitation will be on Friday, January 26, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Sturm Funeral Home, Madelia Chapel, and will continue on Saturday from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at the funeral home. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Madelia, on Saturday, January 27, 2024, at 12:00 pm. Arrangements are with Sturm Funeral Home in Madelia.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.sturmfh.com.

Jim was born July 28, 1940, to Elmer and Geraldine (Kuehl) Krueger in Mankato. He graduated from Garden City High School in 1958. On January 2, 1960, he married Carol Marturano at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Mankato. Together, they raised children, Steven, Christine, and Cindy.

Growing up on a farm, Jim worked hard helping his father cultivate the land and raise pigs. He also grew and harvested vegetables to sell to the local people. On the farm, he found joy in the open space riding his cherished horse, Buck.

As a youth, Jim was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. During his high school days, he was a member of Future Farmers of America, Annual Staff, and performed in school plays.

In his early working years, Jim worked for Pure Oil, Ford Motor Company, and later for his father-in-law, Joseph "Gamble Joe" Marturano at the Gamble Store in Madelia.  After the store closed, Jim had a successful career with Plunkett's Pest Control, and after a little over 25 years, he retired from Plunkett’s in 2006.  Although retired from the corporate world, Jim continued to work on numerous projects around the house, and used his MacGyver skills to create amazing gadgets, gizmos, and unique furniture for his wife, children, and grandchildren.  As a person who needed to stay busy, he also delivered printed materials for the printing companies in Madelia and drove cars for the GM dealer in Madelia.

As a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Jim was an usher, and eucharistic minister, and his family often took part in the Mass with the gift-bearing.  Serving the community was of utmost importance to Jim.  He was a deputy sheriff, helped at the funeral home, was a member of the Madelia Chamber of Commerce, the Madelia Jaycees, and served on the Madelia Light and Power Commission.  The service Jim was most proud of, and will forever be remembered by all who knew him, was his service in the Madelia Fire Department.  He served for over 30 years, and he was also instrumental in helping create the Madelia Rescue Squad.

Jim and his wife Carol loved to travel. In their early years, they traveled to car racing events. Then road-trips with their family across the U.S. as well as into Canada and Mexico, became a part of their story. As their family tree flourished, they devoted a great deal of their time attending their grandchildren and great-grandchildrens’ events, their hearts brimming with pride. In between those activities, Jim and Carol’s vacation adventures continued, with his love of driving and their passion for the Wild West guiding their travels. An imperative activity was rock hunting, collecting stones to landscape their yard, which has now become a mosaic of memories.

Jim is survived by his children, Steve (Judi) Krueger, Christine (John) Smeed, and Cindy Krueger; sisters, Diane Sorenson, Barb Ristau, and Liane (Norm) Porter; sisters-in-law, Kathleen Krueger and Jean DesLauriers; grandchildren, Nicole Krueger, Kelly (Lenny) Krueger, Paula (Paul) Charpentier, Joe Krueger, Danielle (Trevor) Smeed, Andrew Smeed, Benjamin Smeed and; great grandchildren, Anna, Luke, Leah, Shaina, Amelia, Julie, Lydia, and James; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; parents-in-law; brothers, Larry and Warren; sisters, Carol and Lois; brothers-in-law, Frank, Ron, Ed, Rick, Dave, and Bob; sister-in-law, Bonita; niece, Karon; and nephew, Bruce.