Jan Krueger

Jan Krueger, age 63 of Decorah, IA, passed away Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at WinnMed in Decorah, IA, surrounded by family.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Washington Prairie Lutheran Church, 1725 Washington Prairie Rd., Decorah, IA with Pastor Kim Smith presiding. Burial will be in Washington Prairie Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Friday, May 16, 2025, at Helms Funeral Home, 306 E Water St., Decorah, IA. Also, from 10 a.m. until the start of the service at the church on Saturday.

Please do not send flowers – Memorials can be sent to the family in memory of Jan.

Jan was born October 31, 1961, in Postville IA to Ivan and Rosie Krueger. He graduated from MFL High School in Monona in 1980.  He was an excellent athlete involved in football, wrestling, and track. School was more of a social event then a focus on academics. He talked school mates into writing papers for him, joined the senior play to get out of class, and attended choir as it counted for credits and involved no class time. He excelled in woodshop class and made some beautiful furniture pieces that we still cherish.

At the young age of 14 yrs old he worked at the Farmersburg Meat Locker where he learned all the ins and outs of meat cutting.  Jan started working for Peoples Natural Gas as a Construction Site Worker in 1983. The company changed hands many times eventually becoming Black Hills Energy. Jan held many positions through the years with his latest being Construction Coordinator.  He received many awards, honors, and achievements during his time at Black Hills Energy. He was passionate about his work and answered his phone day or night.

At a dance in 1989, Jan met his future wife, Arleen, and began courting her. They were quite the couple, attending parties, camping, long pick up rides, and many adventures. Jan always insisted on Erin (then age 10)  being  included in everything including their first date. It was more like the “3 musketeers” at all times. He was united in marriage to Arleen March 30, 1991 on a beautiful Easter weekend that started off sunny while ending in a snow storm. At the age of 29, Jan became a husband and instant Dad. Erin and Jan were two peas in a pod and extremely close. He taught her how to drive a car, manage the ups and downs of teenage life, and was the shoulder to lean on through “all the things” as she entered adulthood and beyond.

Jan took on a very important role of caring for Arleen’s parents' farm.  The lawn was a huge deal for him as everyone knows, and it better look good at all times!  (Thank you Jeff and Adrian for taking the time to have it look nice during this week) Arleen’s parents relied heavily on Jan for farm duties as he felt a lot of pride and happiness in that role and eventually moved with Arleen out to the farm full time. He enjoyed taking the family dog, AJ, in the Ranger daily.

In 2009, Jan’s pride and joy (grandson Adrian) was born.  This was a new experience for Jan as he wasn’t so keen on holding a brand-new baby. Adrian gave him zero choice as grandpa was one of the only people to calm Adrian’s tears and keep him at peace. Jan made sure Adrain had every tractor and toy piece of construction equipment to play with and experience.  They played together every day. As Adrian grew up he became grandpa’s “mini me.” Jan attended every one of Adrian’s sporting events from swim team to football, eventually wrestling, track, and golf. Adrian and Jan spent a lot of time on the farm together and have many memories.

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of 34 years Arleen; daughter Erin Key; grandson Adrian Smith (15). Siblings: Jeff (Connie) Krueger, Jim Krueger, Dixie (Terry) Doeppke, Suzie (Shawn) Kramer; Sister-in-law Corinne (Larry) Snell, Brother-in-law Alan (Chris) Bakke along with many special nieces and nephews, and aunt and uncle Jeanine and John Reed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Rosie Krueger, and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Andrew and Eloise Bakke.