Ruth Ellen (Grostic) Krueger passed away peacefully April 11, 2026, in Otsego, Michigan, at the age of 88 years 4 months, 5 days. Blessed be her memory.

Ruth Ellen Krueger was born on Dec 6, 1937, in Fowlerville, Michigan to L. Ford and Agnes (Radford) Grostic. She was the fifth of six children, a farm girl that helped her dad raise racehorses. She was joined to Jesus Christ in her baptism on March 30, 1937. Her godparents were Aunt Inez and Uncle Otto Kunde. She graduated from Fowlerville High School in 1956 and from Western Michigan University in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree. Ruth was a staff assistant at Draper Hall. After graduation, she taught second grade in Lincoln, Nebraska. Ruth and the Reverend Dale Krueger were married in her home church, St. John’s Lutheran in Fowlerville, MI on June 24, 1961. In 1997, she earned a Master of Counseling degree from Western Michigan University. She became interested in the Hebrew language, and in 2000-2001, during a year-long sabbatical in Boston, Massachusetts she took Hebrew classes at Harvard University. She worked for Senior Services, including the director of the Meals on Wheels program and the Meal Site at the Congregational Church in Kalamazoo. She was kind-hearted and fully embraced God’s call on her heart to serve those around her.

Ruth was a devoted wife and mother. She loved her seven grandchildren, always remembering birthdays and putting in extra effort to show how much she cared – like when she dutifully collected all 50 state’s quarters for each of them. The grandkids deeply loved her and will forever reminisce about Oma’s home cooking. Magically, she could make five meals for a family of five out of one chicken, and she was a wizard with coupons. She loved music and the arts – especially singing with the Kalamazoo Oratorio and never saw a production she didn’t like at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre. Ruthie loved “60 Minutes” and “Jeopardy”, always playing along from her kitchen table and getting a lot of the answers right! Ruth could host a party like no other, thinking of all the details that others might overlook. She was a fashion icon, knowing exactly what accessory to add to an outfit to make it all come together, and she’d never forget to dab on some White Diamonds. Ruth was an excellent host mother for international students and especially loved her adopted son Fredi, her adopted daughters from being a nanny for Erin and Sarah and was a treasured friend for so many.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Dale B. Krueger, her parents L. Ford and Agnes Grostic, her parents-in-law Bernard and Frieda (Priebe) Krueger, her brother and sisters Ione, Thelma, Marvin, Margaret, Bonnie, and brothers and sisters-in-law Frank, Gilbert, Henry, Catherine, and Alan.

Ruth is survived by her loving family: son John Krueger; daughters Joanna Krueger and Mary (Jeff) Pellegrom; grandchildren Loden Krueger, Nathanel Mottonen, Frieda Mottonen, Jordan Dale Krueger (Hyun Joo) Pellegrom, Sophia (fiancé John) Pellegrom, Jonah Pellegrom, and Isabella Pellegrom; great grandchild James Jeffrey Pellegrom; sisters-in-law Jean Mueller and Joyce (Wolfgang) Fuerst, and as well as many beloved nieces and nephews, relatives, and dear friends.

If inspired, the family would love to collect stories until May 15, however short or long, for Ruth and/or Dale or both, and these will be shared and put to rest with them at the memorial in May. Please direct these stories via mail to Ruth Krueger, PO Box 211687, St Paul MN 55121; via email Lakepepinplace@gmail.com, or via text or voicemail at (651)955-8897.