Melvin E. Krueger

Melvin Ervin Krueger, 88, formerly of Wausau, passed away Monday, July 16, 2018 at Country Villa Assisted Living, Freedom WI after a long battle with dementia and cancer.

A celebration of life service will be held at 6:00 PM, Thursday, July 19 at Verkuilen Van Deurzen Family Funeral Home, N3972 Columbia Avenue, Freedom, WI 54130. Family and friends may call from 4:00 until 6:00 PM, Thursday at the funeral home.

Mel was born December 13, 1929 to the late Paul and Anna Krueger of Wausau, WI. On August 10, 1955 he married the love of his life Dolores Jagodzinski in Wuertzburg, WI. Two year later he welcomed his twin daughters into the world and enjoyed all aspects of a father during his life.

Melvin served his country as a Technical Sargent during the Korean War in the Air Force and was primarily stationed in Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage AK. He was selected to be one of the hunters for the base, seeking out moose, elk, bear and deer during the harsh winter months.  After his service he resumed working at Marathon County Highway Department until his retirement. During his retirement years Mel and Dolores lived in Las Vegas, Minocqua, and Wausau.

During his life he truly enjoyed fishing; from ice fishing in the Northwoods to fly-in fishing trips in Ontario, Canada.  He was especially proud of attaining his private pilot’s license and joining a small flying club in Wausau. Mel spent numerous weekends taking friends and family on plane rides. He was also an avid beekeeper and gardener. He passed his love of nature and gardening onto his twin daughters. Mel also enjoying spending time helping family members and  traveling with his family around the country.

Mel is survived by his twin daughters Gail (Neil) Carriveau of De Pere, WI and Sharon Krueger of Charlottesville, VA., two sisters Viola Brunow and Dorothy Weisman and two brothers Benny (Doris) Krueger, Raymond Krueger, sister-in-laws Alice Krueger, Dorothy Artus, Irene Cichon and Leona Braun and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother James.

His family would like to thank the entire staff of Country Villa Assisted Living for their loving and compassionate care provided to Mel as well as Heartland Hospice for their thoughtful attention towards his end of life.

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