KRUGER, Helen (Garrels) 1922-2008

KRUGER, GARRELS, GROEN

Posted By: County Coordinator (email)
Date: 10/9/2008 at 14:36:28

Helen Kruger, age 86 of Little Rock, Lyon county, Iowa, died Friday, September 19, 2008, at Sanford Hospital of Rock Rapids, Lyon county, Iowa.

Funeral services were held Monday, Sept. 22nd at Salem Reformed Church in Little Rock with burial at Pleasant View Cemetery at Little Rock.

Helen Kruger was born January 16, 1922, the daughter of Harm and Elska (Garrels) Groen. She lived during her youth in the George, Lyon county, area and attended Wheeler No. 3 Country School.

She was united in marriage to Irvin “Curly” Kruger on December 6, 1943. They lived in Texas until he finished serving in the U.S. Army. The couple then moved back to George were they farmed. Later they owned and operated a café in Little Rock where she baked homemade bread every day. After selling the café in 1970, she spent much of her time doing things for others; patching, baking, or making cookies for the Salem Reformed Church Bible School Program.

On Sept. 14, 2004, she entered the Good Samaritan Home in George. She spent many hours doing her embroidery work and visiting with residents and staff at the home. She always offered a smile and jellybeans.

She is survived by her two children, Eugene (Ida Mae) Kruger of George, IA and Audrey (Larry) Venenga of Urbandale, IA; two foster sons, Kirk (Mary) Ennenga of Waupun, WI and Tjark (Irene) Ennenga of Omaha, NE; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one brother, Theodore Groen of George, two sisters-in-law, Helene Kruger of George, and Leanna De Boer of Sibley, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Irvin “Curly”; a son, Emory; a brother, George Groen; and a sister, Reka Luitjens.

(Jurrens Funeral Home obituary)