Martin Kroeger

Martin Alfred Kroeger, age 86, of North Mankato died Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at Lake Crystal Health Care Center in Lake Crystal.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 10, 2007 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Mankato with Rev. Paul Nolting officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrims Rest Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-7 p.m. Friday at Mankato Mortuary and will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to Immanuel Lutheran School Endowment Fund or to an organization of the donors choice.

Martin was born on May 19, 1920 to Alfred and Lydia (Hermel) Kroeger in Rapidan, Minnesota. He attended Rapidan High School and in 1940 entered the U.S. Navy and graduated from the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Marty was a Pearl Harbor survivor who served on the USS Chicago and Mobile. He also received a Presidential Commendation after the U.S.S Chicago was sunk by Japaneses planes. On January 23, 1945 he was united in marriage to Rose Biermann in Long Beach, California. Marty owned and operated Kroeger Plastering Company which he started in 1949. Marty was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and School. Marty was a naturist who enjoyed fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family at their cabin on Lake Washington.

Marty is survived by his wife, Rose Kroeger of North Mankato; daughter, Roselyn (Rod) Skillman of Scottsdale, AZ; son, David Kroeger of Mankato; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; sister, Ruth (Don) Huebl of Waseca; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son Douglas; sister, Esther Bartsch; and brother, Rueben Kroeger.