Ivan Alvin Krueger, 88, of Monona, Iowa died Wednesday, November 13, 2024 at Crossing Rivers Health surrounded by his family. Ivan was born on December 16, 1935 to Edgar and Marie (Voelz) Krueger in McGregor, Iowa. He graduated from Monona-Farmersburg Consolidated school in 1954. Ivan met the love of his life Roselyn Clark at the Strawberry Point roller skating rink. He thought she was the prettiest girl there and made sure to get her attention. They were married on November 19, 1960 and began their life together. Five children were born to this union.
Ivan believed that everyone needed to work hard and earn their way through life, there was no easy way. When he and Rosie were married, he built their first small home in Luana by himself. Ivan also held many jobs over the years but spent most of his life working multiple jobs at the same time. Over the years he worked at Schave Garage and Midlands Coop until the late 1960’s when he started what turned out to be his lifelong career as Bus Mechanic and Head of Transportation at MFL Mar Mac Community School. To keep with his belief of always working hard, he also worked during that time as a Postville City Police officer and Monona City Police officer. Ivan was known both at school and as an officer as a stern but fair man. He was able to catch everyone’s attention with his loud voice on the bus and the kids would fall in line. He also believed as an officer, a stern warning was all that was needed and that would be enough to learn a lesson. As the kids got older, Ivan and Rosie decided to add one final career to their story and opened the Ivan’s Burgers Hamburger stand in downtown Monona. On any weekend during the summer, you could see a line waiting for his famous burgers and they are still made regularly by his family.
Ivan was a regular spectator at every sport his children or grandchildren participated in. You could see him in the stands and most likely heard him critiquing the referees, but he was a proud supporter of the MFL Mar Mac Bulldogs. He was a founding member of the booster club. He felt that all students needed the opportunity to have new uniforms and equipment. He had a service mindset and was the first to come and help anyone in need. In his retirement he added ambulance driver to his list of many accomplishments. He continued to support the community until Rosie’s health got bad and he needed to become her fulltime caregiver. The only time he left her side was to enjoy his morning coffee with the boys at Kwik Star or Maggie’s Diner.
Most recently he was acknowledged at the school by being put in the MFL Mar Mac Wrestling Hall of Fame in January 2023. Ivan was also a poet and wrote many poems for friends, family and coworkers. He had written a poem for the 1976 State Baseball team and coach and that was put on a plaque on the school dugout this summer. He will always be remembered as a true fan of the Bulldogs.
Left to cherish his memory are his five children, Jan (Arleen) Krueger of Decorah, Jeff (Connie) Krueger of Decorah, Jim Krueger of Castalia, Dixie (Terry) Doeppke of Luana and Suzanne (Shawn) Kramer of McGregor; eleven grandchildren Erin Key, Brittany (Cody) Theismann, Emily Krueger, Kaleb Krueger, Kira Krueger, Chris (Kristen) Doeppke, Riley (Josie) Doeppke, Heather (Sean) Hoppenjan, Erica (Mark) Pomerening, Carissa (Bryan) Trainor and Derek (Alex) Kramer; 17 great grandchildren and one expected great grandchild; One sister-in-law Jeanine Reed and many nieces and nephews; and special friend and caregiver Kris Meyer.
He was preceded in death by his wife Roselyn (2019), his parents, Edgar and Marie Krueger, an infant brother, Devere Krueger, sister and brother-in-law Vila and Milton Schroeder, sisters-in-laws Lois MacGregor, Diane Clark and brother-in-law Richard Clark.
Funeral Services will be at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 23, 2024 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Monona, Iowa with a visitation two hours before services from 9-11 am at the church on Saturday. Rev. Erika Lenth will be the Officiant.
Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Luana, Iowa.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Monona, Iowa is helping the family with the arrangements.