Melvin "Barney" Kruger, 59, Ash Creek, died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2002, at his home in Ash Creek.
Services were Saturday, Feb. 9, at Assembly of God Church in rural Luverne. The Rev. David Jahn officiated. Burial was at Maplewood Cemetery in Luverne.
"Barney" Kruger was born to Martin and Elizabeth (Giessen) Kruger on May 25, 1942, in Luverne. He attended school in Luverne. He joined the U.S. Army in 1964 and served through 1966. He worked for Hanson Silo from 1962 to 1985.
He married Carolyn Kuhnert on March 9, 1966, at Beaver Valley Church in Valley Springs, S.D. He then started Kruger Salvage where he was known as the car undertaker. Mrs. Kruger died on June 13, 1996.
He married Donna Olson on Jan. 27, 2001, at Assembly of God Church in Luverne.
Mr. Kruger was a member of Assembly of God Church in rural Luverne. He loved to watch his brother, daughter, nephews and all the Kracht boys race cars.
Survivors include his wife, Donna Kruger, Ash Creek; four children and their spouses, Brenda and Vance Johanning, Heron Lake, Gary and Teresa Kruger, Luverne, Jeff Kruger and Tammy and Pete Kracht, all of Ash Creek; one stepson, Tom; one stepdaughter, April; eight grandchildren, Joey, Alex, Thomas, Katlyn, Allison, Taylor, Madison and Dylan; one brother, David Kruger, Sioux Falls, S.D.; and two sisters, Alberta (Darrell) Kremin, Ash Creek, and Viola (Ordell) Swenson, Sioux Falls.
Mr. Kruger was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Carolyn, one sister-in-law, Linda Kruger, one nephew, Jared Kremin, and one niece, Kim Kremin.
A tree will be planted in memory of Melvin Kruger by Hospice of Luverne Community Hospital.
Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.