Carl Henry Krueger, Jr., 67 years young, passed from this life on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, at home with his wife, Venita, and brother, Ray, by his side.

Carl was born in Leavenworth, KS on August 17, 1953, to Genevieve Mae and Carl Henry Krueger, Sr.  He shared his childhood with his sister Laura and brother Ray.  While in high school, his mom married Max R. Roemer, Sr., gaining him nine more brothers and sisters.

He graduated from Immaculata High School in 1972.  During "retirement," he enjoyed reconnecting and catching up with classmates through their monthly lunches.

He enlisted in military service in 1972 and served his country for six years. His Army career took him to West Point, NY, Fort Denham, MA, and Korea.  He received an honorable discharge in 1978 and entered into a career as a skilled roofer in both Leavenworth and Kansas City.  When he had enough of stirring tar and laying shingles, he moved on to ground maintenance at St. Mary College, various positions at Sam's Town and Argosy casinos, and security at Combined Arms Research Library on Fort Leavenworth.  His most important employment was as "house witch," a job he coined and created himself when his injured back no longer allowed him to work outside the home.

On November 8, 1997, he married Venita (Ferguson) after nearly a decade of dating.  Their daughter was relieved it was finally official.

Carl was a loyal husband, patient father, devoted brother, caring and generous grandfather, loved uncle, and dedicated friend to many.

Carl was the consummate jokester.  You could often hear his laugh before you even walked in the room.  You knew he loved you if he was teasing you. He could make anyone smile with his wit.  He is loved by all who knew him.

Carl was an avid fisherman and loved to travel.  His semi-annual trips to Bennett Springs and Montauk with his brother Ray were the highlight of each year.  An avid video poker player, if he was not fishing or watching CSI reruns, he could be found at Ameristar (although any casino with a penny slot machine would do).  Trips to Las Vegas with family and friends were how he spent much of the 1990s to 2000s.  He and Venita embarked on several road trips, sightseeing National Parks and monuments.  They also traveled to wherever their daughter's family was stationed, exploring Washington DC, Virginia, and Florida.

For as magnificent as he was a father, he thrived as a grandfather.  Creating the tradition of banana splits, pond fishing, and summer camping, he was the ultimate Opa.

He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Venita, daughter Jamie McHenry, son-in law David McHenry, grandchildren Chelsea, Claire, Meghan, Norah, and John McHenry, his sister Laura (Jerry) Spitz, his brother Ray (Carol) Krueger, his step siblings Tom (Kathy) Roemer, Karen (Bart) Ernzen, Daniel (Jackie) Roemer, Marsha (Bob) Patzwald, Mary (Joe) Ezell, Max (Krystal Pexton) Roemer, Ron Roemer, Don (Margie) Roemer, and Laura (Don) Martens, and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, stepfather, sister Barbara Stryjik, and nephews Ray Edward Krueger, Jr. and Noah Ezell.

His memory will live on in carefully crafted banana splits, with every cast of the fishing rod, and the never-ending loop of Blue Bloods/Law & Order/Matlock episodes. His absence will be felt in both big and small ways for the rest of our lives.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Leavenworth Interfaith Community of Hope.

Visitation will be Thursday January 28, 2021 at Davis Funeral Chapel at 531 Shawnee between 4pm and 6pm with a rosary immediately following.  Private interment of ashes with be held at a later date at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Lansing, KS.

If you wish to participate in the some of the visitation and rosary virtually, it will be live streamed on the Davis Funeral Chapel Facebook page at 5:45 P.M.