Funeral services for Connie Krueger, 81, of Blaine will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at Hayward Lutheran Church in Hayward. The Rev. Josh Enderson will officiate. Interment will be at Graceland Cemetery in Albert Lea. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Online condolences are welcome at www.bayviewfuneral.com.

Connie passed peacefully Sunday, May 20, 2018, at Edgemont Place Care Center in Blaine, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Constance Mae Krueger was born June 22, 1936, in Albert Lea, the daughter of George and Ingeborg (Wayne) Boyd. She graduated from Albert Lea High School, and was valedictorian of her class.

She was united in marriage to Paul D. Krueger on June 13, 1954. Paul and Connie eventually settled in St. James, where they raised their three children: Kent, Anne and Beth. Connie worked as the high school bookkeeper, at the Watonwan County Public Library and later as church secretary for Zion Lutheran Church in Winter, Wisconsin, when retirement had beckoned them to the north woods.

After Paul’s death, Connie moved to Appleton, Wisconsin, to be near family. She eventually moved to Blaine for specialized care, where she enjoyed more time with family. She served on countless boards and community councils, performed in community theater productions and committed herself to faithful service in all aspects of her life.

Connie was a published poet and enjoyed writing verse for family and friends, whether a short snippet for a card being sent or an ode to someone’s retirement. She loved to knit, tend her flower gardens, create paper crafts, play piano and bring a smile to everyone she

encountered. She had a deep love of nature and was most happy sitting with a cup of coffee and a cookie on her dock, listening to the call of the loons. Her loving, generous, selfless, silly, kind, compassionate, beautiful soul will be missed by many.

Connie is survived by her son, Kent (Lisa) Krueger; daughters Anne (David) Eng and Beth (Matthew) Carpenter; grandchildren Lauren Krueger, Adam (Heidi) Eng, Matthew Eng, Daniel Eng, Amanda (J.J.) Giles, and Joseph Carpenter; sister, Carole (LeMoyne) Eggum; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Connie was preceded in death by her parents, and the love of her life — her husband, Paul.