Delores Kruggel

Obituary

Delores Bertha Ella (Gehrke) Kruggel was born on November 18, 1926, in Round Grove Township, McLeod County, Minnesota. She was the daughter of August and Elsie (Schuett) Gehrke. Delores was baptized as an infant and was later confirmed in her faith as a youth. She received her education in rural Brownton, Minnesota.

On December 3, 1946, Delores was united in marriage to Theodore Elwyn Kruggel at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Parsonage, Penn Township, McLeod County, Minnesota. This union was blessed with 54 years of marriage and the birth of seven children. The couple farmed in Alfsborg Township, Sibley County. She was also employed at Green Giant in Glencoe. They retired in 1984 and moved into Winthrop in 1997.

Delores was a long-time member of Zion Church in Winthrop where she served on the Ladies Guild, church centennial committee, Altar Guild and Banner Committee.  She was also a member of the Winthrop Senior Citizen Club, as well as a past President and Vice President of the Bowling League.

Delores enjoyed playing cards, Bingo, shaking dice, word searches, and especially loved spending time with her family.  In her younger years, she enjoyed dancing, fishing, bowling, delivering Meals on Wheels and tapes of the church service to the shut-ins. She will always be remembered for her homemade cakes that she baked and decorated for many family birthdays and baptisms.

Delores passed away on Sunday, November 20, 2022, at the Sleepy Eye Care Center in Sleepy Eye at the age of 96 years and 2 days. Blessed be her memory.

Delores is survived by her children:
Ronald Kruggel of Winthrop, MN, Janice Kruggel of Winthrop, MN, Donna Matti of Eastman, WI, Connie Kalk (fiancé, Robert Sprenger) of New Ulm, MN, Gary (Lori) Kruggel of Winthrop, MN, Charles (Christine) Kruggel of Gaylord, MN;
Grandchildren, Heather (Randy) Thompson, Thomas (Brittany) Matti, Heidi (Neal) Hagberg, Brady Kalk, Kristi (Alex) Nelson, Stephanie (McKoy) Rodning, Corey Kruggel (special friend, Eliza Kaufenberg), Alisha (Jon) DeRock, Kiley Kruggel, Bethany (Nathan) Hardel, Olivia Kloempken, and Ryan Sommer;
18 Great-Grandchildren;
And many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Delores was preceded in death by her Parents, August and Elsie Gehrke; Husband, Theodore Kruggel in 2001; Son, Dale Kruggel; Sister, Rozella Gehrke; Granddaughter, Melissa Kruggel; Grandson, Matthew Kruggel; Brothers-In-Law and Sisters-In-Law, Norman & Leona Kruggel, Harry & Marjorie Pautz and David & Arlene Kruggel; Sons-In-Law, Allan Kalk and Sherwood Matti; and Daughter-in-law, Susan Kruggel.