Thomas (Tom) Philip Kruger
Thomas (Tom) Philip Kruger, age 68, of Grand Island, died on Monday, October 21, 2024, at Grand Island Regional Medical Center, with his wife by his side. Funeral services were held on Monday, October 28, at Third City Christian Church in Grand Island.
Reverend Scott Jones officiated. A private burial will be at the Grand Island Veterans’ Cemetery at a later date. All Faiths Funeral Home at www. giallfaiths.com is assisting the family with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the family, who will forward them to the Shelton Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department.
Tom Kruger was born August 13, 1956, in the hospital at Yankton, South Dakota, to Bob and Joanne (Angus) Kruger. Tom went to elementary school at Saint Ludgers Academy in Creighton. He received his first communion and was confirmed in the Catholic faith, as a proud St. Ludgers Comet. Tom graduated with the class of 1974 from Shelton High, where he played football and was a state champion wrestler. Tom had a great experience working in high school and through college at Gangwish Farm and Grain Elevator and Gangwish Seed Farm. After receiving a scholarship for wrestling, football and ROTC, he entered Kearney State College, where he met and married Ronda Ernst from Aurora. He wrestled and also played football and ROTC all four years.
Tom received an education degree in history and a master’s in administration. When he left his senior year, the football team was ranked fourth in the nation, and Tom was an All-American wrestler. In ROTC, he was awarded the distinguished Military Graduate Award and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S.
Army armor branch (Tank).
He entered the U.S. Army at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. After his service at Ft. Knox and graduating from the Armor Officer Basic Course, he returned to Nebraska to teach and coach in St. Paul and Lexington, eventually becoming a principal in Lexington and Grand Island, where with Ronda they raised their three sons, Heath, Cole, and Tad. Tom took a break from education to work on his second career in 1985, returning to active duty in the Army at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Ronda followed him as he attended the Advanced Armor Officer School. After returning, Captain Kruger commanded Company B 1-195th Armor Company in Lexington from 1985-1989.
Tom retired as a major from the Guard/Army Reserves.
Tom had many notable achievements, honors, and awards in his life: being inducted into the University of Nebraska-Kearney Athletic Hall of Fame for wrestling and football; lifetime member of the American Legion; and Knighted to the Order of St.
George for honorable service to armor and cavalry units. Mr.
Kruger planned and carried out over 15 trips to Washington, D.C., with high school seniors from St. Paul, Lexington, and Grand Island. Tom also started and planned annual Veterans Day Parades to the VA home in Grand Island that marched with 3,000 middle and high school students to honor the “Gallant Men and Women of the Armed Services.” After retiring from education, Tom coauthored a book, “Cornhuskers Go to War,” plus wrote other publications. Tom’s favorite hobbies included spending time hunting and fishing at Harlan County Reservoir and the “Deer Camp” on the Platte River with family and friends.
Tom was known for his cooking, especially for big family holiday meals, he always believed “the more the better.”
At this time of grief, Tom wants us to remember and celebrate his life well lived and his enduring commitment to family and country.
Tom leaves his wife, Ronda; sons, Heath (Sydney), of Omaha, Cole, of Kilgore, Texasm and Tad (Brooke), of Ord; grandchildren, Nash, Willa, and August Kruger, of Ord, and Josie Kruger, of Omaha; his brother, Alan (Carol), of Hastings; sister, Crystal Gangwish, of Shelton; and a host of family, friends, teammates, and former players.
He was preceded in death by his father, Bob Kruger; mother, JoAnne Campbell; and sister, Letha Brooks.
Please read the full obituary written by Tom at www. giallfaiths.com.