Dorothy Mae Krueger

Dorothy Mae Krueger, age 92 of Manawa, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the Manawa Community Living Center.

Dorothy was born September 14, 1932 in the Township of Little Wolf to William and Irene (Zemple) Gehrke on the family farm still operated by her nephew.

"Dort" was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa where she was baptized, confirmed, and married. She was active in the Choir for 70 years, and throughout the years participated in the Dorcas Society, finance committee, and the board of education.

She attended Little Wolf High School in Manawa where she graduated in 1950. Dorothy was also the 1950 Homecoming Queen. She was crowned in her band uniform because she had to play at halftime.

Dorothy married Robert Oscar Krueger on December 19, 1953. Together they had 8 children.

"Grandma Dot" frequently enjoyed attending the sporting and artistic events of her grandchildren and great grandchildren: Lance, Tyler, Anna, Kerri, Winter, Logan, Haylee, Kyle, Chase, Cade, Brett, Drew, Camille, Oscar and Jasper. Along with her great grandkids: Zane, Zoey, Autumn, Auburn, Brynley, Blakely, Brielle, Daxon, Graysea, Ellianna, Matt, Chloe and Ramsey.

Dorothy worked at various jobs in Waupaca County after graduation but is best known for being the "post office lady", working at the Manawa Post Office for 32 years before her "final mail pickup" retirement on November 5th, 2000. Not only did she know everyone in town, but she knew where they lived as well. In retirement, she continued to contribute to the community by volunteering for Meals on Wheels and the Manawa senior center, as well as working the polls on election days.

She was an avid bowler and bowled for decades in the Thursday night women's league in Manawa. She would bowl regularly in both state, and national tournaments with her friends, and won the Wisconsin State Senior Women's bowling tournament. She also played softball with her daughters for the Sturm & Jensen Deep Rock Rockets. Dorothy also loved gardening, and kept a large garden in her earlier days, despite her husband saying "Dorothy, you can't eat the flowers."

Dorothy was a life-long Cubs fan, which was a long time for a Cubs fan. When asked why she wasn't a Brewers fan, her standard reply was, "There weren't any Brewers when I was a kid." She was elated to see them win the World Series in 2016, and rarely went without her Cubs blanket or her Cubs cup in her final years.

Dorothy is survived by her children: Deadra Krueger, Kirk Krueger, Tamara (Tom) Churchill, Jeffrey Krueger, Amy (Bill) Radtke, Michelle (Mark) Radies, Corey (Jill) Krueger and Daniel (Denise) Krueger. She is further survived by sisters: Loretta Kern and Janet Jenks; and her sister-in-law Geraldine Krueger.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Robert; brother, Wilmer; sisters: Lorene Sedlac and Ramona Tucker; and many brothers and sisters in law.

The Funeral Service for Dorothy will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11:30am at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Manawa with Rev. Nathan Reichle officiating. A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 1:00pm - 5:00pm at the Dahlke Life Celebration Center in Manawa and also at the church on Monday prior to the service from 10:00am - 11:15am. Burial will be in Little Wolf Cemetery, Town of Little Wolf. 

The family would like to thank the staff of the Assisted Living Wing at the Manawa Community Nursing Center for their continuous care of Dorothy while she was there.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made out to St. Paul Lutheran Church or St. Paul Lutheran School.

Please dress casual to the gathering at the Dahlke Life Celebration Center on Sunday afternoon, per Dorothy's wishes.