Norman Arthur August Krueger (1904-1980)

Norman Arthur August Krueger was born on 22 Nov 1904 in Wausau, Marathon, Wisconsin as the fifth child of Bernhard Richard R Krueger and Frieda H Lemke. Norman’s maternal grandmother, Clara, was a midwife and assisted in his birth. He had five siblings, namely: Sadie Clere, Arnold F, Bernhard R, Irene Clara Anna, and John F. As we learned last week, when we were celebrating Bernhard’s birthday, the family lived in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Norman graduated from high school there in 1923. During high school he was on the agriculture track. He was active in school activities including playing on the football team.

By the age of 22, Norman had lost both parents. He and his siblings looked out for each other and stayed close throughout their lives.

When he was 28, Norman Krueger married Selma Cornelia Aschbrenner, daughter of Frederick A Helmut Aschbrenner and Alice Rosalie Fehlhaber, on 11 Nov 1933 in Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She was known as Sally. Their courtship was a long one, but finally Norman realized that it was time to get married. Norman and Sally took a trip from Wausau to Milwaukee to get married. Norman was a treasurer for the Boy Scouts and actually had the trip planned already to attend a Boy Scout conference. Though they called her parents first, the marriage was pretty much an elopement. When they arrived in Milwaukee, they stopped at a parsonage and got married. They then checked into the hotel, had dinner, and then for the next couple days, Norman went about his Boy Scout business. Now, the Krueger men should always be commended for their work ethic, volunteering and being practical, but maybe it would be nice if they were a little more romantic too?

Norman Arthur August Krueger and Selma Cornelia Aschbrenner had two sons:

1. James Frederick Krueger. He married Coralee Mae Phillips.
2. Charles Norman Krueger. He married Phyllis Ann Williams.

Though not his original intention, Norman ended up with a career in banking. He worked at the First American State Bank in Wausau and continued to work there as a teller through the stock market crash and the Great Depression. He eventually changed jobs and was a trust clerk at the trust company and was Assistant Vice President of Wisconsin Valley Trust Company at the time of his retirement.

Work definitely did not consume all of Norman’s time. He also was a dedicated caregiver to his wife, Sally, who suffered from Parkinson’s disease. And even that didn’t take up all of his time. Besides his commitments with the Boy Scouts, Norman was very active in the Underwood Chapel. He served as Sunday School Superintendent there for over 35 years. Underwood Chapel was a free-standing Sunday School on the southwest side of Wausau. The Presbyterian church in Wausau was on the other side of town, so way back in 1909, members of the church organized this mission Sunday School to reach children in what was then the tougher side of town. By 1911, they had 132 children enrolled and no building big enough to accommodate them, so Mrs. Jarvis Underwood, the widow of the owner of the Underwood Veneer Company, offered to build a chapel in memory of her late husband. In 1916, Wausau’s first Boy Scout troop started at Underwood Chapel and a Girl Scout troop was started soon after.  In 1924, the original superintendent resigned and Norman took over. His sister, Sadie Clere Krueger Hollman, had already been serving as the superintendent of the primary department since 1917. So, for the next decades, Norman and Sally, and his sister Sadie, were leaders in  Underwood Chapel.

Norman was also very involved in the Lions Club and enjoyed curling as part of the Wausau Curling Club. He was also an avid outdoors-man, enjoying golfing, hunting and fishing.

He also enjoyed family and was able to see all five of his grandchildren born before his death.

Norman died on 28 Aug 1980 in American International Hospital, Zion, Lake, Illinois at the age of 75. He was buried on 02 Sep 1980 in Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau, Marathon, Wisconsin. Norman is still remembered fondly as a man of great character.

Where is he in the tree?

How can I learn more?

If you want to learn more, the Krueger book will be of interest.

The Krueger Family