June Krueger, 95

Margaret June Krueger, age 95, of Sturgis, passed away Saturday evening, September 16, 2023 at Sparrow House Senior Living in Sturgis.

She was born Christmas day 1927 in Dayton, Ohio, daughter of the late Carl E. and Ruth F. (Albright) Johnson.

Mrs. Krueger came to Sturgis in 1947 to help her aunt and uncle with the M&M News Stand. She soon met Don Krueger who quickly stole her heart and the couple was married October 29, 1949. She and Don were married 65 years when he preceded her in death December 17, 2014.

June loved to sing. She studied opera for some time and was offered a scholarship to the Julliard School but turned down the opportunity not wanting to be so far from home. She did attend Otterbein College where she studied music.

June had been employed by Kolady’s Book Store and as a kindergarten aide at Wenzel Elementary School in Sturgis. She and Don purchased the Sturgis Trophy House and ran the business along with the Western Union Station and the Greyhound Bus Station operating the businesses until their retirement.

Following their retirement the couple enjoyed wintering in Florida and spending summers at their home on Omena Lake. Eventually they moved back to Michigan permanently.

June is survived by her daughters: Merrie (William) Schlabach of Sturgis and Martha (Larry) Critchfield of Shipshewana; grandchildren: Tracy Halferty of Howe, Indiana, Justin (Thyra) Schlabach of Manistique, Ashley Warnement of Nashville, Tennessee, Timothy (Jessica) Warnement of Atlanta, Georgia and Brian Warnement of Washington, D.C.; great grandchildren: June Esther Schlabach, Annabelle Kaye Schlabach, Cooper Schlabach and Ayden Halferty.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and daughter: Gail DeMint and infant brother: James Edwin Johnson.

The family would like to share their sincere thanks to the entire staff at the Sparrow House for the wonderful care she received and also to JoAnn and Stefanie of Three Rivers Health Hospice for the compassionate hospice care June received.

In accordance with her wishes cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Tuesday, October 10th at the Hackman Chapel of Hackman Family Funeral Homes, 114 S. Nottawa St. in Sturgis. Private interment of June and Don’s remains will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Krueger’s memory consider the Sparrow House Senior Living, 201 Broadus St., Sturgis, MI 49091 for items on their wish list or the Shrine Hospital 233 Fulton Suite 102, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

We encourage relatives and friends to share memories and condolences at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.