Service Information
Arthur “Butch” Kroeger, age 83, of Hutchinson, Minnesota, passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson.
Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, November 19, 2021, at 2:00 P.M. at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel in Hutchinson with interment in Oakland Cemetery in Hutchinson.
Gathering of Family and Friends will be held two hours prior to the service at Dobratz-Hantge Funeral Chapel.
Military Honors by the Hutchinson Memorial Rifle Squad.
Obituary
Arthur “Butch” William Kroeger was born on February 17, 1938, in Glencoe, Minnesota. He was the son of Arthur Adam and Emma (Hagen) Kroeger. Butch was baptized as an infant on May 29, 1938, in Glencoe and later confirmed in his faith as a youth on April 6, 1952, at Church of Peace in Glencoe. He received his education in Hutchinson and was a graduate with the Hutchinson High School class of 1955. Butch furthered his education for one year at sales school in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Butch entered active military service in the United States Air Force on September 12, 1955, in Minneapolis, Minnesota and served his country during Peacetime for two years in Portland, Oregon, as well as two years in Germany. He received an Honorable Discharge on August 17, 1959, at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, and achieved the rank of Airman Second Class.
On July 11, 1964, Butch was united in marriage to Luanne Dummer in Hutchinson, Minnesota. This marriage was blessed with one daughter, Susie. Butch and Luanne resided in rural Hutchinson for 49 years and moved to town in 2015. They shared 57 years of marriage.
Butch was employed at 3M, Gehl & Dual Farm Sales, Daniels & McKimm Trucking, and a hobby farmer in Hutchinson Township. He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church Board and Trustee, and American Legion Post 96.
He enjoyed spectator sports, PBR rodeos, traveling, engaging in the stock market, purple martin birds, airplanes, and most of all driving his big 18-wheeler. Butch especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
Butch passed away on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, at Harmony River Living Center in Hutchinson, at the age of 83 years.
Blessed be his memory.
Butch is survived by his:
Wife, Luanne Kroeger of Hutchinson, MN;
Daughter, Susie Overvold and her husband, Doug, of Minnetrista, Lake Minnetonka, MN;
Siblings, Gloria Ruzicka of Hutchinson, MN,
Gary Kroeger of New Hope, MN;
Nieces, Betsy Stubson and her husband, Brian, of Litchfield, MN,
Kristin Kroeger and her significant other, Andre, of Plymouth, MN;
Nephew, Kyle Kroeger and his wife, Alex, of Minneapolis, MN;
Many other relatives and friends.
Butch is preceded in death by his Parents, Arthur and Emma Kroeger; Brother-in-law, David Ruzicka; Mother and Father-in-law, Walter and Lorraine Dummer; aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Carmen Forcier says
LuAnn, Susie and Gloria
So sad to hear of Butch’s passing. He was such a good friend to both Maury and my father. His memories will be cherished.
Jeanette Miller says
Gloria so sorry to hear of your Brother’s passing. Blessings to you, LeAnn and families. Jeanette Miller
Sue and Les Engelmann says
Lu and Susie- have been thinking and praying so hard since I heard Butch was declining rapidly. I was surprised, as I didn’t realize he wasn’t doing well. I’m so thankful that Susie reached out to the nurses group, so we could hold you all in prayer.?? I am so sad for you now that you’ve had to say goodbye for now to your sweet husband and daddy!! ?Butch was a one in a million guy, and I remember going into Johnny Selchow’s store in Plato, and saying to my daddy, “Look- Butchie the Gehl man is here”!!! He was so nice and so funny too, and he liked kids!! Obviously he must have really impressed me!! You take care of each other, and know you have alot of friends who LOVE you and are always here for you!!!??
Charles+Jensen says
Luann, Susie and Gloria
Sorry to hear of Butch passing. He was life time Friend. We started 1st grade together at district 19 rural Glencoe. Will be thinking of you folks in the next days.
Harry+&+Kathy+Berghuis says
Butch was a super nice guy. Got to know him through my parents. He graduated with my Mom (Ginger Yerks). Was always a happy pleasant guy when he drove bus for things.
Julie says
I’m so sorry Luannn and Susie. I hope he sees Ally and gives her a huge hug. We will see them all again someday??
Betsy Stubson says
I thought I’d share some of my wonderful memories… Going to the farm as a kid are some of my cherished memories. I loved the little cows, Susie not so much, but I thought they were fun. Some of our Easter dinners on the farm baby cows were even born! The kittens in the little shed were so cute! One time Susie was certain I died in the bathroom, but uncle Butch was there when I woke up assuring both of us I really was alive and okay. My childhood was amazing and Susie, auntie Lu and my uncle Butch were a huge piece of those beautiful memories. Praying everyone’s beautiful memories of Butch comfort you. See you in the future uncle Butch!!
Barb Magnuson says
Butch was such a fun loving upbeat guy. He always asked how things were on the farm and how the horses were doing- he seemed to love to talk about livestock. Our prayers are lifted up for you- Lu, Susie, Gloria & family, on the loss of your vibrant, likeable Butch.
In Christ’s love, Barb & Bruce
Brad Hoikka says
Prayers to you Lu and Susie!!! Butch was a great man!!!
Mark Schreiner says
Butch was my bus driver for all the years I rode the bus for school. I always looked forward to walking up the bus aisle and him grabbing me on the shoulder or neck and telling me to have a good evening with a smile on his face. RIP Butch
JoHanna Jensen says
I just heard that BUTCHSKI passed away. Luanne and Suzie, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and dad. Gloria, my sympathies on the loss of your brother. My late husband Mert Jensen spent many HAPPY hours
with his buddy BUTCHSKI in Mert’s truck shop solving world problems. He was also one of Mert’s relief drivers at J AND J MILK TRANSIT. Butch (or as Mert called him, Butchski) was a one of a kind guy. He will be missed by so many of us.
Jo Jensen
Bonnie Dahl says
What an amazing cousin! You were definitely one of my favorites Butch. One of my best memories was when I was young how cool it was to rub my hand across your crew cut hair. I can never remember Butch calling me by my name – it was always “Bonzo”. You are definitely one of the “good guys” and will be missed.
Larry+Graf says
Luann, sorry to hear of Butch’s passing. I have great memories of Butch. Very upbeat guy, fun to talk to and be around. our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bev Gustafson says
To Butch’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. He was a very caring “people” person. He especially kept track of our mutual Classmates from Hutch ‘55 class and visited many. I will miss our occasional phone calls to visit and catch up on things.
When Butch and my dad, Grant Christianson, were out working on the road, they’d sometimes run into each other and share dinner and the evening. He will be warmly remembered by many. He was hugely proud of his family, his town, and his friends.
Celeste Wherry says
So sad to hear that Butch has passed away. He was always such a kind person and was great to have conversation with. God bless and comfort his family.
Ron Pulkrabek says
To Luanne, Susie, Gloria—So sorry about Butch’s passing. I considered him my best friend. He called me Poka Rabbit. Pulkrabek was too hard to say. Butch’s most often question to was, “Now, tell me this, Ron”. We worked together at 3M and went on Canadian fishing trips. I think he got his interest in farming by helping me plow. But his real interest was truck driving–until over 80????? At times he would pick me up for a country ride. He knew who lived on every farm around Hutch and Glencoe. He took me to the farms he lived on as a boy and his country school. We had a great time! I learned a lot! I will surely miss Butch and those country rides. Ron Pulkrabek
Gerry L ahr says
LU AND SUSIE , I WAS SO HURT TO HEAR MY BUDDY BUTCH PASTED. WE GO BACK A LONG WAY, I MET BUTCH WHEN HE DROVE FOR J@J TRANSPORT BACK IN THE EARLY 80’S, HE BROUGHT IN MILK TO FIRST DISTRICT AS I WORKED IN THE RECEIVING BAYS. WE HIT IT OFF RIGHT AWAY AND BECAME BEST BUDDIES FOR LIFE. I STARTED GOING TO THE HUTHINSON SALES BARN AND FOUND OUT HE LIVED RIGHT ACROSS THE HWY FROM THERE, SO I STOPPED IN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR VISITS. HE WAS SO EASY TO TALK TO, LU WOULD ASK US HOW WE COULD VISIT FOR SO LONG? WE JUST SEEMED TO GET LOST IN EDUCATING EACH OTHER. I REMEMBER WHEN BUTCH STARTED TO PURCHASE MORE LAND AROUND HIS FARM, HE HAD ASKED ME IF I COULD HELP HIM CLEAR SOME FENCE LINES AND BRUSH. I SAID NO PROBLEM I CAN HELP YOU. WE WORKED HARD TO CLEAR TREE LINES AND BRUSH. HE WAS HAPPY TO HAVE THE HELP, THEN HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID ” YOU REALLY ARE A WOODCUTTER , YOU ARE A WOODMAN. RIGHT THEN AND THERE MY NICKNAME WAS ” WOODY “. I REMEMBER A TIME WHEN WE WERE CLEARING FENCE LINES THAT BUTCH WAS BURNING THE BRUSH AND HE GOT SOME OF MY CUT WOOD ON FIRE AND HAD TO RUN BACK TO THE FARM TO GET QUITE A FEW BUCKETS OF WATER TO PUT IT OUT. THE NEXT TIME HE SEE’S ME HE TOLD ME ABOUT IT. HE SAID WOODYS NOT GOING TO LIKE I’M BURNING HIS WOOD. NO BUTCH IT’S ALL GOOD. BUTCH WAS A HARD WORKER, YOU COULD TELL. BUTCH WAS ALWAYS GOOD TO ME AND IF I BROUGHT OVER FAMILY OR GIRLFRIENDS HE WOULD TREAT THEM AS GOOD AS HE TREATED ME. LU DO REMEMBER THAT TIME CRYSTAL AND ME WERE VISITING YOU WENT TO GET SUSIE’S BARBIE DOLLS FOR CRYSTAL TO PLAY WITH? CRYSTAL REMEMBERS IT, SHE WOULD MENTION TO ME LET’S GO SEE BUTCH AND LU, THEY LET ME PLAY WITH THOSE BARBIE DOLLS. BUTCH WOULD OFTEN COMMENT TO ME HOW I COULD REMEMBER SOME OF THE THINGS WE SHARED OR TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW BUDDY I LISTENED TO YOU CAUSE I CARED. AND I LEARNED ALOT FROM YOU. BUTCH I DIDN’T HAVE IT EASY THREW MY YEARS OF LIFE BUT YOU WERE ALWAYS THERE FOR ME IF I NEEDED YOU, SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE , IT MEANT ALOT TO ME. YOU ARE GOING TO BE SADLY MISSED BY “WOODY”
Warren Kelm says
Luanne sorry to hear of Butch’s passing — always a fun guy to talk to and be around
always a smile on his face