Arthur D. Kruger, age 98, of Hastings, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2024, at Our Lady of Peace Hospice in St. Paul, MN.
Art was born on October 22, 1925, to Arthur and Hazel (Oppegard) Kruger in Rochester, Minnesota. He grew up working in his family’s restaurant, Kruger Cafe, where he developed his strong work ethic as a dishwasher during his school lunch breaks. After graduating from high school, he served in the Navy as a Pharmacist’s Mate on a transport ship during WWII.
Returning home from the war, he pursued a degree in Pharmacy at the University of Minnesota. During his college years, he married Marie Karppi, and together they had two children, Teresa and Janice. In 1957, Art and his family moved to Hastings, where he worked as a pharmacist at Eddy Drug, Iverson Drug, and Regina Hospital Pharmacy until he retired there in 1987. Even after retiring from the hospital, Art wanted to stay current and worked at Most Pharmacy in Prescott until officially retiring at the age of 85.
Art also led a full and active life outside of work. He enjoyed playing cards, golfing, reading, traveling, caring for his lawn, cheering on the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Hastings. Being a founding member of a retired men’s group at the church was a great source of pride for him.
Art was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Marie Kruger; daughter, Teresa (Dale) Hoopman, and four siblings. He is survived by his daughter, Janice (Paul) Woxland of Hastings; grandchildren: Kristin Woxland Golla (Ross Golla) and Elizabeth Woxland (Andre Carneiro); great-grandchildren: Paxton, Davis, Oliver, and Paloma, along with many other relatives and friends.
The family expresses special gratitude to all the friends who spent time with Art over the years, as well as Our Lady of Peace Hospice for their exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to Our Lady of Peace Hospice, 2076 St. Anthony Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104, or a charity of your choice.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel, 3075 Vermillion St, Hastings, MN 55033, with a visitation one hour prior to services and a reception to follow. Private burial will take place at Lakeside Cemetery.
Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel is handling the arrangements.
