Emmett Kruger

Emmett A. Kruger, 90, of Postville died Monday, September 6, 2021 at Good Samaritan Society in Postville. Funeral services were held Saturday, September 11 at Salem United Church of Christ in rural Waukon with Pastor Sue Klimstra officiating. Burial was at the church cemetery. Martin-Grau Funeral Home in Waukon handled arrangements.

Emmett August Kruger was born December 31, 1930 at home in Frankville Township, Winneshiek County, the son of William Henry and Lydia (Hesse) Kruger. He was baptized and confirmed at Salem Reformed Church (now Salem United Church of Christ [UCC]) in rural Waukon.

He attended school through eighth grade at the Frankville School and then became a lifelong farmer in the Frankville area, raising pigs, chickens and capons, and growing corn and beans. Emmett loved farming and was a dedicated steward of the land who valued honesty and integrity.
June 9, 1956, Emmett married Shirley Osmundson at First Lutheran Church in Ossian and they had two children, Victoria and Lisa. Shirley passed away December 13, 1979.

Emmett married Marjorie (Rolfs) White November 28, 1984 at Zion United Church of Christ in Waukon. He gained five more children from this union: Gary, Cheryl, Kermit, Daniel and Judy.

Emmett lived on the farm until 2019, when he moved to Wellington Place in Decorah and then to Good Samaritan Society in Postville a few months later.

God was very important to him and as a lifetime member of Salem UCC, he served on the consistory several times. Emmett loved to help whenever and wherever he could and everything would be completed with his trademark precision; “let’s get this done” was his motto. Washing dishes and cleaning up was something he always took care of and he also helped family with any project, big or small.

Emmett enjoyed playing cards, tractors and going to parades. In his younger days he did a lot of roller skating. He thoroughly enjoyed good food and canning with his kids.

Emmett is survived by his wife, Marjorie, of Postville; his children: Victoria (Lonnie) Baade of Luana, Lisa (Greg) Snitker of Postville, Gary (Anne) White of Decorah, Kermit (Cathy) White of Postville, Daniel (Nooch) White of Postville and Judy (Steve) Houdek of Anamosa; 22 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Elizabeth Johnson of Ellsworth.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Shirley; a daughter, Cheryl McNally; his brother, Elmer Kruger; and two sisters, Esther Snitker and Evelyn Johnson.

Casketbearers were Korey Snitker, Robert White, Neil Krumme, Dean Eickelberg, Kent Schultz, Donald Hanson and Bobby Schultz.

Online condolences may be left at www.martinfunerals.com.