Donald "Dutch" Kruger, age 93 of Rochester passed away peacefully on March 12, 2014 at St. Marys Hospital.

Dutch was born on August 7, 1920 in Eyota Township to Edward and Rose Kruger. He attended Dunwoody Institute prior to traveling to Seattle, WA to work in a shipyard. Following Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the US Navy and served on the USS Doran DD634. Dutch fought in all three major theaters of battle during WWII. Following his service, he moved to Rochester, and in October of 1946, he married Nettie Springer at Peace United Church in a double wedding with his brother Dayton (Audrey) Kruger. Dutch worked for Anderson Welding prior to working for the City of Rochester Street and Alley Department. He retired as Lead Foreman. He was a longstanding member of the Rochester Eagles. Dutch's love of the outdoors included hunting and fishing with three generations of his family.

He is survived by his wife Nettie of 68 years, his children Jan Hanf of Rochester, Douglas (Lynn) Kruger, JoEllen (Brad) McLagan, Jeanne (Duane) Hamm, Mark (Sue) Kruger all of Rochester and Tracy Gibbs of San Antonio TX, two daughter-in-laws Barb Kruger of Pine Island and Mary Bodelson-Kruger of Lake City, a brother Dayton Kruger of Nevada and a sister Audrey Denny of Rochester, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by a sons Dennis and Rick Kruger, an infant daughter Theresa, brothers Walter, Marvin, and Edwin, and sisters Mildred and Betty.

A memorial service for Dutch will be held on Saturday, March 15, 2014 at 3:00pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home with Rev. Scott Jorgenson officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service in the chapel. Military honors will be provided by the Rochester VFW Post 1215. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Rochester Eagles Club following the service. Burial of his ashes will be in Fort Snelling National Cemetery at a later date.