Alvina Krueger

Alvina Krueger was born on April 28, 1923 in Gothenburg, Nebraska to Eilert and Gesina (Schmidt) Franzen. She passed away on May 1, 2016 at Blue Valley Lutheran Home at the age of 93. Alvina was baptized on June 3, 1923 at Christ Lutheran Church and confirmed in her faith on April 10, 1938. Her confirmation bible verse was Col. 3:17, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Alvina completed the eighth grade at Middle Willow Island School and helped her dad on the farm. She later worked as a nurse aid at the Gothenburg hospital. Alvina traveled to Gilead to visit her sister, Bernice, and there met her future husband, Paul Krueger. Paul and Alvina were married at Christ Lutheran Church in Gothenburg on August 27, 1944. Five children were born to this union, Eileen, Dean, Carol, Sharon and Ann. Paul and Alvina were life-long farmers south of Gilead. They celebrated 65 years of marriage prior to Paul’s death in December, 2009.

In addition to being a housewife and mother, Alvina was active in her church and community. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. She sang in the choir, was a WELCA member and officer, a Bible School teacher, and taught Sunday school for over 50 years. Most recently, she facilitated the Adult Sunday School class.

She was a member of the Hospital Guild and started working at Things & Stuff when it was located above the old bank building in Hebron. She volunteered her time for 45 years and greatly enjoyed working on Tuesday mornings sorting and pricing items with women who became good friends. She retired from the Guild in 2013.

Alvina was known to make a great cup of coffee. Over the years, she made many gallons of coffee for the Hospital Guild’s Variety Show and church events.

Alvina enjoyed organizing and taking part in many church and community events, i.e. St. Paul’s 100th anniversary, writing skits for the church’s salad suppers and most recently helping with the Pioneer Inn renovation project. Alvina enjoyed gardening, canning, sewing and reading. She sewed most of her children’s clothing while they were growing up, along with church banners, altar cloths and many Lutheran World Relief blankets.

Alvina is preceded in death by her parents, husband, great-grandson, Hayden McCoy, sister, Bernice Bodtke, brother, Otto Franzen, in-laws Clarence Bodtke, Marie Franzen, Paul Waltman, Hilmar Krueger, Herman and Betty Krueger, Karl and Alene Krueger, Armin Schroeder, Orval Elting, and Gerald Vortman.

She is survived by her children, Eileen and Ray Asche, Dean and Linda Krueger, Carol Krueger, Sharon Krueger, Ann Krueger and Travis Wiegert. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren, David Asche, Cameron and Marissa; Diane and Tim McCoy, Colton and Jenna. Sisters Lucille Sommers, Evelyn Waltman, brother Marvin and Jill Franzen, in-laws Lois Franzen, Martha Schroeder, Esther Elting, Hilda Vortman, and Lucille Krueger.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 pm Saturday May 7, 2016 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Gilead, NE., with Pastor Connie Raess officiating. Memorials to the Family’s Choice. Burial at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery- Gilead, NE. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home in Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.