Krueger, Ida Sylvia (Okada) 1933 - 2016

KRUEGER, OKADA, BETTS, POST, LEIST, SOUHRADA, MANGOLD

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 5/27/2016 at 13:01:05

Ida Sylvia Okada Krueger was born on June 14, 1933, on a farm northwest of Cresco, IA, to Henry and Violet (Betts) Okada. She had four brothers and three sisters. She attended elementary school at Vernon Springs #7 country schoolhouse near her family's farm and graduated from Crestwood High School as salutatorian in 1951. During high school Ida worked at the public library and partook in many extracurricular activities in addition to helping on the farm. During her junior year of high school, Ida met Elmer G. "Pete" Krueger at the Cresco roller rink. They were engaged a year later and were married on July 13, 1952, at the Cresco Methodist church after Pete returned from serving in the Korean War. Ida was a talented seamstress and sewed her own wedding gown. They spent their first three months of marriage in Chicago, IL, where Pete was completing his Army service. They moved to Saratoga, IA, in 1953 and lived there for 63 years.

Ida was a homemaker and faithful, devoted, and loving wife; she was a selfless and generous mother, not only to her own children but also to their friends, the children of neighbors, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She and Pete always raised a beautiful and productive garden, and Ida would put up enough vegetables, jams, jellies, and juices to last from one summer to the next. Ida was a devoted fan of her children's extracurricular activities, supporting her children at their various events. She was a consummate baseball and softball score keeper and was often consulted by the coaches to settle a dispute between the two teams. She used her sewing skills to make many tops and dresses for herself and her children. In her later years, she sewed many quilts for her family and others. Although it might be obvious considering her many years of marriage and motherhood, her skills in the kitchen were fantastic, often fixing meals for many mouths quickly and adeptly. She was an avid reader.

Ida embraced life and was never afraid of trying something new or rejuvenating an old interest. She found her love of painting in high school art class, but she took up the love again when she enrolled in painting classes later in life. After most of her kids were raised, she trained as a Certified Nurse's Assistant and worked at the Riceville rest home for several years. She also took swimming lessons and learned to swim in her 60s. Ida loved to laugh and was a shining example of how to love and serve. She will be missed by many.

Ida was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her husband Pete; sons David (Regina), Richard (Michelle), Dennis (Barb), Jim (Deb), and Peter (Bridget); daughters Sherri Post (David), Carol Leist (Terry), Susan Souhrada (Eric), and Jane Mangold (Kris); 17 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; brother (Glenn); sister (Caroline June); and several nieces and nephews.

Ida died on May 20, 2016, after a brief fight with leukemia. It was her wish to be cremated. Visitation is Sunday, May 22, from 4:00-7:00 p.m.; funeral services are Monday, May 23, at 2:00 p.m. Both visitation and funeral will be held at St. Paul's Maple Leaf Lutheran Church, Elma, IA, where she and Pete were members for decades. Condolences and memorials can be sent to Elmer "Pete" Krueger at the Evans Memorial Home, 1010 North Elm Street, Cresco, IA 52136. Floral arrangements can be sent to 8444 Cherry Street, Lime Springs (Saratoga), IA.

Source: Lindstrom Funeral Home database

Howard Obituaries maintained by Constance McDaniel Hall.
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