Robert "Bob" James Krueger

   Robert J. Krueger, 73 of Newton, died peacefully at his home with his wife by his side on Saturday, August 24, 2024. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Newton on Thursday, August 29, 2024. A Funeral Mass will begin at 11 a.m. and luncheon will follow. Memorials in Bob’s name can be left at the church during the service or at the Wallace Family Funeral Home in Newton. Please make checks payable to Patricia Krueger.

   Bob, son of Joseph Arthur and Anna May (Kunze) Krueger, was born in Milwaukee on October 6, 1950. They moved to Newton when he was 2 years old. Bob grew up swimming and playing baseball. He graduated from Newton High School in 1968, with many awards in swimming, including a swimming scholarship to Bemidji State College. Bob majored in math and chemistry at Bemidji, which is where he met Patricia Kunze. They were united in marriage on July 13, 1974, in Silver Spring, Maryland. Bob worked as a supervisor at The Maytag Company for over 27 years. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He enjoyed bowling and playing softball, and pool. He was also a member of the National Ski Patrol and Red Cross Disaster Services. Bob loved his family and organized wonderful vacations to ski, fish, visit relatives, and enjoy time together. At home, he was constantly joking with his kids and grandkids, wrestling with them and hiding under afghans together. Patsy could never find the kids, Bob, or the dog Bridget! Bob encouraged kindness to animals, teaching all the kids to moo at cows in the fields and baa at the “ladies” in the pasture across the lane. Grandkids learned to shoot fireworks and catch whipped cream squirted into their mouths from their mischief-making Pa.

  Those left to honor Bob’s memory include his wife, Patsy Krueger of Newton; his daughters, Kristin (Kenny) Coley of Ankeny and Jennifer (Eric) Grimstad of Urbandale, his grandchildren, Tannim “T.J.” and Perrin Coley, Aiden and Noah Simons, and Eleanor and Riker Grimstad. His brothers, Charles (Mary) Krueger and John (Kay) Krueger; and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

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