Daryl William Kruger, age 60 of Wrenshall and Cloquet; beloved husband, son, brother, uncle, grandfather and friend, passed away Wednesday August 28, 2013 at Solvay Hospice House after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born November 9, 1952 in Duluth to Walter and Olive (Lindevig) Kruger. Daryl served his country in the United States Air Force for 20 years as Staff Sergeant in Texas, Michigan, Alaska, and Germany. For the past 16 years, he has worked at the Grand Casino in Hinckley. Before joining the military, he was employed at the Conwed Corp. in Cloquet and Garon Knitting Mills in Duluth.
Daryl was a “Big Kid” who loved life and lived it with enthusiasm and a playful sense of humor. He made life more fun for the rest of us and was known as “Uncle Tickle”, “Pedro”, and “Buster”. A favorite among his children’s friends, he was also a second dad to many. He especially loved family times, making us laugh, cheering us on, inventing, drives up the North Shore, seeing ships on Lake Superior, air shows, stock car races, flying kites and remote helicopters, telling tall tales starting with his famous “Hey!”, fishing, skiing, giving snowmobile rides, and watching the “Red Green Show” and funny movies. He also enjoyed playing drums for old-time polka music with uncle Lorren Lindevig, bringing happiness to many people, who came to their dances throughout the region.
Daryl was preceded in death by his father, Walter; sister, Phyllis Rabideaux, nephew, Willie Kruger; grandparents, William and Loretta Kruger, Carl and Ella Lindevig; and a great-grandmother, Alice Frodesen. He is survived by his wife Patti; daughter, Joy Marie (Andy Cohrs) Kubis; son, Carl William Kruger; mother, Olive Kruger; sisters, Judy (Billy) Lindquist, Sharon (Geir) Severeide, Shirley (Pat) Doyle; step-daughters, Jamie (Rob) Peacock, Jessie (Rob) Swanson; beloved grandchildren, Jordan, Carter, Caden, Meredith, Emily, Jordis, Josiah and Jaxson; numerous nieces and nephews including his namesake, Daryl Walter; special niece, Shannon (Gordy) Meagher; great-nieces and nephews; God-parents, Lorren and Beverly Lindevig; a multitude of dear friends, and his special pet, Misty.
A heartfelt thank you to the compassionate staff at St. Mary’s Hospice Care and Solvay Hospice House for your loving care for Daryl, and to everyone who has helped and comforted us along this journey. Your support means the world to us. Daryl will be deeply missed by all of us who knew and loved him. One way to honor his memory is to follow his advice by not working so hard and having more fun, a message he shared with us many times after being diagnosed. Daryl requested NOT to wear black attire to his service.