Gale Kruger

Gale Kruger, age 70, of Tomah, formerly of Cassville, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at the Tomah VA Medical Center. He was born in Ames, IA, on March 15, 1947 the son of Harm and Verda Mae (Wilson) Kruger. Gale was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1970 and served in combat until 1972. He attained the rank of Sergeant and was very proud of his military service. Gale accomplished a great deal during his life and his achievements were made throughout the world. Gale was a Professor at Dalian Nationalities University in Dalian, China in the College of Economics and Management, College of International Business and College of Foreign Languages where he taught business, international business, entrepreneurship, marketing, international marketing, accounting and English. He was also the President/ CEO of Kruger & Associates. He had a MBA degree in Business Administration and BS degree in Business Management. He was a Senior Loan Officer/ Branch Manager for Lending Hand Mortgage Inc. Gale was the GM/ President of Kruger Retail Group for over 20 years; having complete P&L responsibility for a $ 150+ million operation with over 12 sites and 375+ staff. He was the past broker/ owner of Kruger Realty Group for over 9 years having launched and directed real estate sales and property management firm with direct responsibility for the firms P&L, 8 professionals, and a portfolio of 70 mixed use properties.

Gale was a broker/ realtor as acting partner for a RE/ MAX franchise; providing real estate services in residential, commercial, investment, land, and other real estate opportunities. He was responsible for the strategic growth and implementation of the firm by adding additional offices throughout the firms marketing area. He was a past Professor at Herzing College of Technology in the Department of Business and Management teaching business courses in Madison, WI and a past professor/ instructor for Madison Area Technology College. Gale was involved for over eight years with municipal government and was instrumental in the adoption of the first Building and Zoning codes for a municipality and in the budgeting and legislative process. Gale was also an instructor teaching continuing education courses in Wisconsin USA of insurance for CAPE Education, a firm in New York, for over 10 years. He held licenses in insurance (17 years), real estate brokerage (25 plus yrs.) and mortgage lending (8 plus years) in the State of Wisconsin. He had over 37 years of business management/ administration experience with over 10 years in property management, and over 10 years in the educational field as a professor. Above all, Gale was devoted to his family and will be remembered as a good father and grandfather.

Gale is survived by two sons: John (Angela) Kruger and James Kruger; seven grandchildren, a twin brother, Dale (Diane) Kruger; a half-sister, Sheila (Dennis) Adamson; and a half-brother, Dennis (Margaret) Mahoney.

In addition to his parents, Harm and Verda Mae Kruger, he was preceded in death by his birth mother, Ramona Beavers; his step-father, John Larmour; and a sister, Clara Mae Kruger.

Funeral services and military honors will be on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at the Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Cassville with Pastor Pam Strakeljahn officiating. Burial will be in the St. Charles Cemetery, Cassville. Family and friends may call on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home. In lieu of plants and flowers, a Gale Kruger Memorial Fund has been established. The Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory in Cassville is entrusted with his services.