Elmer G. “Pete” Krueger was born September 28, 1928, in Florenceville, IA, to Elmer L. and Alice (Enos) Krueger. He spent his early childhood years in the Florenceville and Granger, MN, area before his family moved to Saratoga when Pete was a teenager. Pete graduated from Riceville High School in 1946.

After high school, Pete worked with his parents in the painting business before being drafted into the U.S. Army. He served in the Korean War from August 1951 through May 1952, where he was in a pioneer and ammunition platoon. He achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class and received the Korean Service Medal with two Bronze Campaign Stars, Combat Infantry Badge, and United Nations Service Medal.

Pete married Ida Okada on July 13, 1952, in Cresco, IA. After living in Chicago for a few months while Pete completed his military service, they moved to Saratoga where they spent nearly 64 years together raising their family and being active in the community. Pete delivered fuel for over 30 years in the Riceville, Saratoga, Elma, and Lime Springs area, and painted many houses, barns, and outbuildings.

Pete excelled at all things athletic, and his love of sports was passionately passed on to his family. He was particularly fond of baseball (he threw some heat in his day and was known for his knuckle ball), archery (he won the state archery tournament more than once), bowling, and golfing (he hit a hole-in-one on the Riceville golf course). He loved bow hunting for deer, gardening, and mowing lawn. He admired commitment, hard work, and perseverance, and believed that a job well done was reward enough. He will be remembered by his family and friends for his sense of humor and as a man of principle, fairness, kindness, and generosity.  

Pete passed away July 25, 2019, at Evans Memorial Home in Cresco. He was proceeded in death by his parents and wife Ida. He is survived by his daughters Sherri (Dave Post), Carol (Terry Leist), Susan (Eric Souhrada), and Jane (Kris Mangold); sons David (Regina), Richard (Michelle), Dennis (Barb), James (Deb), and Peter (Bridget); 17 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

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