Services for former UW-Platteville Football Coach Gil Krueger are Saturday, Dec. 3, at 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Rossmoor Hillside Clubhouse 3400 Golden Rain Road, Walnut Creek, California. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorial gifts be given to The Hospice of East Bay 3470 Buskirk Ave., Pleasanton, CA 94523, www.hospiceeastbay.org or Hope Lutheran Church of Rossmoor.
Gilbert John Krueger, 87, passed away peacefully, October 30, 2016. Krueger fought his cancer just like he approached all his challenges. This was with his Krueger ancestral "warrior" toughness and confidence, but with loving concern about how others were affected.
Krueger attended Milwaukee West Division High School where he met his life-long sweetheart, his wife of sixty-six years, Carol (Olmsted) Krueger. He was All-City in football in 1946 and was honorable mention All American in football. In addition, he was a basketball High School All-American in 1947, scoring 51 points in a single game. He starred in baseball and track, lettering in football and basketball. His only regret was that his father passed away before he got to see him play in high school.
Krueger and Carol were married on April 8, 1950. After they enjoyed a nice weekend honeymoon in Chicago they returned to Marquette University as Krueger had to get back for football practice. He was honorable mention All American in college and played in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles.
In 1954 Krueger began his coaching career at Grantsburg, WI, as head basketball coach. His first football head coaching position was at Stoughton, WI where he won 35 of 36 conference games and posted a record of 52-11-1 between 1956-1964. Krueger was selected as Wisconsin High School Football Coach of the Year in 1963.
Krueger then stepped up to the collegiate ranks as an assistant coach at North Central College in Illinois from 1964 through 1966. His first college head coaching assignment was at Macalaster College in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1969 Krueger went on to University of Wisconsin-Platteville where he compiled a record of 41-7-1, winning three Wisconsin State University Championships. In 1970 his team earned a berth in the NAIA playoffs and he was selected NAIA District Coach of the Year. At Northern Michigan University, Krueger's teams had a 31-15-0 record. They won the National Championship in 1975 with a 13-1 record. That same year he was named College Coach of the Year. Krueger was named "Sportsman of the Decade" by Northern Michigan University for the 1970's. He is also a member of the Northern Michigan University Hall of Fame and is in the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
In 1978 Krueger took over the reins at New Mexico State. He continued his winning ways by capturing the Missouri Valley Conference Championship in his first year. For that feat he was again selected as Coash of the Year. In 1983 he was an assistant coach with the New Jersey Generals of the USFL Professional Football League. In 1984 he went to UW-Superior where he coached four years. He retired from coaching after the 1987 season. In 32 years of coaching Krueger's teams won 10 championships.
While Krueger is well known for his success as a coach, many knew him for his love of the outdoors, painting, softball, golf, and Senior Olympics where he medaled in discus, javelin and triple jump. He was an impression for life long athleticism. He started many youth athletic associations and was active with The Jaycees and Lions Club. Krueger and Carol shared their belief in God through their actions which included hosting many Thanksgiving dinners for students who could not travel home. They helped friends with rides to church and were active on Hope Lutheran Church of Rossmoor Council proving to be generous with their time, money and love.
Krueger is survived by his wife Carol Krueger of Walnut Creek, California, sons Mark (Julie) Krueger of Medina, OH., Paul (Roxanne) Krueger of Mission Viejo, California., Todd Krueger of Providence, Rhode Island, daughter Caron (Matthew) Larkin of Lafayette, California. Also surviving are 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by grandson Alex Krueger, brother Carl and sister Fran (Phil) Daly.
