Paul Thomas Kruger

Paul T. Kruger, 81, Beardsley, MN, passed away Thursday, May 2, 2013, at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.
Funeral services were Monday, May 6, at 10:30 a.m. at Siloah Lutheran Church, rural Graceville, MN, with Rev. John Ragan officiating. Music was provided by organist Tammy Ragan and vocalists Rev. John and Tammy Ragan.
Burial was in the Siloah Cemetery. Military honors were provided by the August Altheide American Legion Post 302 of Beardsley. Honorary pallbearers were Dale Haukos, JeRoy Haukos, Andrew Miller, Uriah Anderson, Grace Kruger and Tammy Kruger.
Visitation was Sunday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. at the church.
Paul Thomas Kruger was born September 18, 1931, in Graceville, MN, to Francis and Hazel (Shuckhart) Kruger. He was baptized at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Graceville, made his First Communion at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Beardsley, and was confirmed at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Browns Valley. He attended school in the Beardsley and Browns Valley areas. On November 4, 1949, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the 82nd Airborne Division during the Korean Conflict, earning the Parachute/Glider Badge and the Purple Heart.
On July 16, 1952, Paul married Carrie Joyce Holtz in Wheaton, MN. Paul was honorably discharged from the Army on February 4, 1953. After returning home, Paul farmed in the Beardsley area. He had a love of soil and enjoyed watching things grow, especially his crops and garden. He was named the Traverse County "Farmer of the Year" in 1973 and wrote articles for the Farm Journal.     Active in his community and church, Paul served as the Arthur Township clerk for 23 years, the Lutheran Brotherhood President for eight years and the Soil and Water Conservation chairman for Traverse County for four years. He was a lifetime member of the Beardsley American Legion. Paul also served three terms on the church council and was a Sunday School teacher.
Paul's farmyard resembled "Old MacDonald's Farm," as he loved all types of animals. His hobbies included playing cards, especially Whist and Rummy, dancing, fishing, hunting, and trapping. Paul also had a joy and love of music; he was often singing and whistling.
Survivors include his wife, Carrie Joyce Kruger of Beardsley; five children, Jay (Cheryl) Kruger of Wahpeton, ND, Nancy (Steve) Bacon of Bakersfield, CA, Hazel (Mark) Miller of Browns Valley, Thomas Kruger of Beardsley, and Michael (Teresa) Kruger of Morris, MN; ten grandchildren, Carrie Quinby, Danielle Lesmeister, Uriah Anderson, Maegen Anderson, Andrew Miller, Tammy Kruger, Grace Kruger, Emily Kruger, Whitney Bacon and Clara Kruger; five great-grandchildren, Keira and Sarah Quinby, Hailey, Jaxson, and Jaynie Lesmeister; and a sister-in-law, Gertrude Kruger of Backus, MN.
Paul was preceded in death by two children, Mark (1953) and Janice (1973); parents, Francis and Hazel; and siblings, Lawrence Kruger, Ruth Guenther, Lila Davidson, Lucille Stallman, Marjorie Gessner, Mary Haukos, Dorothy Rende, Jay Kruger, Esther Schwagel, Benjamin Kruger, Donald Kruger, Pauline Kruger and Eugene Kruger (twin brother).