1920 ~ 2004
Alma Edmund Kruger, a good and honorable man, died peacefully Sunday, October 31, 2004 of natural causes.
Born March 29, 1920 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Julius Edmund and Lina Martha Otto Kruger. Attended West High and graduated in 1938. He was privileged to serve as a missionary in Brazil and helped lay the foundation of a mighty work that continues to roll forward. Served honorably in the US Army during World War II. After the war, he married Hilda Maaike Kramer in the Salt Lake Temple February 13, 1947. Hilda often said, "I could not have picked a more perfect husband". Retired from the Post Office after 32 years, the last 15 at the Foothill Station. Alma loved sports and games and knew how to have fun. He pitched for neighborhood baseball and kick soccer games played in the street well into his 70's. Everything was more fun when "Daddy" played. He loved teaching young boys the game of baseball and coached in the Dilworth Little League for years. His motto was, "Everyone plays in every game". To the surprise of many, his teams often competed for the league championship. He was a friend to all and enjoyed putting a smile on their faces. He was immensely proud of his 11 children and loved telling everyone about them. He was a great father who was there when his children needed him and always had a listening ear and never passed judgement. He made sure we knew and understood what was right. The gospel of Jesus Christ burned deep within his soul. He loved to serve in the church and took particular pleasure in being an exemplary home teacher which he often called "block teaching". He and Hilda served as temple workers for 13 years in the Salt Lake Temple. He often called his assignment in the temple the most precious experience of his life. A quiet unassuming man, he left a legacy of faith and goodness that will reach across generations.
He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Ruth Nelson, Martha Nielsen and Alice Wilson; brother, Wilford Kruger. He is survived by his wife, Hilda; children, Larry (Linda), Randy (Carla), Marlene (Bruce) Coulsey, Evelyn (Dan) Herzog, Rulon (Leslie), Russell (Susan), Inez (Tom) Hollingsworth, Lina (John) Robinson, Lloyd (Shelley), Lorraine (Gene) Hollingsworth, and Carrie (Dean) Barnett; 49 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; sister, Helen Harrison; sister-in-law, Venna Kruger; numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation to Paul and Kristi Kruger for the loving care they provided for the past three years.
Funeral services will be held Friday, 11:00 a.m. at the Foothill 3rd Ward, 1794 S. Texas Street. A viewing will be held Thursday, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 S. Redwood Rd and Friday at the church one hour prior to services. Interment, Larkin Sunset Gardens. Alma loved missionary work and the family suggests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the LDS Church Missionary Program.