Frederick "Fritz" J. Krueger

Frederick “Fritz” J. Krueger, 90, of Fond du Lac, died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at Woodland Senior Park.Fritz was born to Albert and Martha (Unger) Krueger on December 18, 1925, number eight of eleven children, and lived his entire life in Fond du Lac. He was a graduate of the class of 1944 from Fond du Lac High School. Before graduation, Fritz enlisted with the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the U.S. Grumiun (AK-112) supply ship as part of the Asiatic-Pacific campaign which included the assault and occupation of Okinawa.He returned to Fond du Lac in 1945, and was married to Naomi Immel in 1947. She joined him in his many community activities and was always a steady supporter of his chosen profession. In June of 1951, Fritz became a patrolman with the Fond du Lac Police Department. He was motivated to become a policeman when he viewed an encounter with a former officer and youth. That incident left him with a desire to give the police department a better image and improve the rapport with the youth of the community.After serving ten years as a patrolman, Fritz achieved an important goal when he was appointed to the position of juvenile officer for the department. Fritz was a long time member of the Wisconsin Juvenile Officers Association, and served as president in 1975. Fritz was always active in community youth and safety organizations during his time with the police department, and continuing after his retirement in 1981. He was member and held various offices of the Fond du Lac Safety Council, and was a member of the Fond du Lac Bicycle Safety Committee. He spent many enjoyable moments working with the safety patrols and school authorities to improve safety programs in areas of responsibility of law, drugs, and self.Fritz was baptized and grew up in the Merrill Avenue Methodist Church. His family was actively engaged in the establishment of St. Matthew Methodist Church and later involved with the merger of that congregation with the Division Street church to form Covenant United Methodist in 1979. Fritz and his family were very active members in their faith community, especially the church choirs. He also sang with the Elks Male Chorus, other civic choral groups, and the Fond du Lac Community Theater. He was known throughout the community for singing at numerous weddings and funerals and also had the privilege to sing the National Anthem when President Kennedy visited Fond du Lac. Fritz was actively involved with the Fond du Lac Noon Optimist Club in which he served as president among other leadership roles. He also had the privilege to serve as governor for the Wisconsin District of Optimists International in the early 1980’s. Through this organization, he had many opportunities to continue to serve and support programs that enhance the lives of the youth in the Fond du Lac community. Other community involvement included board service with the Salvation Army, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and was instrumental in planning seven decades in reunions for the 1944 Fond du Lac High School graduating class. Fritz always believed that whatever problems arise with youth, their parents, families, and community-that there is an answer waiting to be found. He found the good in everyone and often said that there are no bad kids, just bad situations.He is survived by his children: Christine (Cal) Breunig of Appleton, Steven (Carol) Krueger of Ripon, Scott (Lisa) Krueger of Custer, and Rev. Joel (Rev. Kate Winters) Krueger of Belfast, ME; his grandchildren: Angela (Mark) Schorer of Howards Grove, Jason (Geb) Lefeber of Sun Prairie, Jodi Krueger of Whitefish Bay, and Kristopher Krueger of Portland, OR; his step-grandchildren: Matthew Giese of Stevens Point, Scott (Khadine) Mangan of St. Louis, MO, and Gina (Todd) Schmitz of Oshkosh; his great-grandchildren: Matthew Schorer, Joshua Schorer, Aaron Schorer, Jonah Lefeber, Rebekah Lefeber, Kobe Schmitz, Addie Schmitz, and Kade Schmitz. He is further survived by a brother, Gerald “Jerry” (Judy) Krueger of North Fond du Lac; two sisters-in-law: Nina Krueger and Mary Soll, both of Fond du Lac; a brother-in-law, Douglas (Lois) Immel of Fond du Lac; and numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Naomi; nine brothers and sisters; and a sister-in-law.VISITATION: The visitation will be from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, 2016, at Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 31 East Division Street, Fond du Lac, and on Sunday, April 24, 2016, from 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. at Covenant United Methodist Church, 20 North Marr Street, Fond du Lac. SERVICE: The funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday at Covenant United Methodist Church with Rev. Michael Morning officiating.Burial will be in Ledgeview Memorial Park at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, April 25, 2016.Memorials may be directed to the Covenant United Methodist Church, SCAMPS – Fond du Lac Senior Center, the Agnesian Hospice Hope, or to a charity of your choosing."Thank you to Agnesian Hospice and Woodlands Senior Park for the love and care that was shown to Fritz."

Frederick "Fritz" J. Krueger

December 18, 1925 - April 20, 2016