Bruce Robert Kruger

Bruce Robert Kruger, age 77, of Round Lake, Minnesota, passed away on August 26, 2026, at the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Minnesota.

Bruce was born on September 3, 1948, in Cherokee, Iowa, to Stanley H. and Virginia L. (Barckow) Kruger. He grew up in Round Lake and attended Round Lake Public School, graduating in 1966.

During high school, Bruce worked at Sather Cookie Company, where he loaded trucks, and also helped his dad with Kruger Painting and Drywall. After high school, he attended college for one year in Wayne, Nebraska, before later attending Albert Lea Technical School, where he studied to become a mechanical draftsman.

After graduating from Albert Lea Technical School, Bruce accepted a position with FMC Corporation, where he illustrated weapons systems for the military. When that position ended due to massive layoffs, he returned to work with his family at Kruger Painting and Drywall.

Bruce had always wanted to serve in the military, and he surprised everyone when he enlisted in the U.S. Army. After completing Basic Training at Fort Lewis, Washington, and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Bruce and his family were stationed at Fort Davis, Panama; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; and Fort McClellan, Alabama. He proudly served in the U.S. Army for seven years before returning to the Round Lake area, where he once again worked with Kruger Painting and Drywall.

After leaving the painting and drywall business, Bruce began a long career in trucking. He worked for Sather Trucking for 10 years, Crouse Cartage for three years, Decker Transport for two years, and finally Smith Trucking for 13 years before retiring in 2018.

Bruce was a longtime member of First Presbyterian Church in Round Lake and a dedicated member of Charles Flentje Legion Post #461. During his 49 years of membership, he held many positions and gave generously of his time and service.

Bruce enjoyed staying active and making the most of every season. During the warmer months, he spent many hours golfing at Silver Lake Country Club in Lake Park, Iowa. When the weather turned cooler, pool season began. Bruce started playing pool as a young boy and never lost his love for the game or his desire to improve. He played in leagues and tournaments and enjoyed nothing more than a friendly game with anyone willing to play.

Bruce and his wife, Sue, shared 55 years of marriage and raised three children together. Family was the most important part of Bruce’s life. When he wasn’t attending or watching his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, he treasured time spent with those he loved. Bruce and Sue also enjoyed traveling around the country, seeing the sights and visiting friends and relatives along the way.

Bruce entered the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne on May 28, 2025. His family will be forever grateful for the kind, compassionate, and loving care he received there. The staff who cared for Bruce became much more than caregivers—they became family.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Sue; son, Scott (Lori) of Onamia, Minnesota; daughter, Sara (Jeff) Smith, Bentonville, AR; son, Sean (Jill) of Chaska, Minnesota; grandchildren, Logan (Jared) Hood, Sydney (Matt Wollbrinck) Smith, Taylor (Griffin) Parriott, Morgan Kruger, Jack (Alexis Edberg) Kruger, Ruby Kruger, Kai Kruger, and Lucy Kruger; brother, Randy (Debbie) Kruger of Sweetwater, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Lorri Glawe, Aurelia, IA; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Stan and Virginia Kruger; stepmother, Angeline Kruger; infant son, Shane; mother- and father-in-law, Richard and Audrey Nuehse; sister-in-law, Jo Kruger; and brothers-in-law, Curt Glawe and Kenny Versluis.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church in Round Lake, Minnesota. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. A private family burial will follow the service, with full military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made to Charles Flentje Legion Post #461 or the Minnesota Veterans Home in Luverne, Minnesota, in memory of Bruce R. Kruger.

Following the burial, everyone is invited to the Legion Hall for lunch and a celebration of Bruce’s life. The family will join everyone there after the service at the cemetery.

The family sincerely thanks everyone for their love, support, prayers, and for being part of Bruce’s life and celebration.