Fred Kroeger

Frederick V. Kroeger

Frederick (Fred) V. Kroeger passed away on December 27, 2015 at the age of 97. He was born on February 24, 1918 in Durango, CO to Sabrina Venard Kroeger and Frederick W. Kroeger. Fred graduated from Durango High School in 1936 and attended the old Fort Lewis College in Hesperus, where he met Eleanor Towne, who would later become his wife. They both continued their education at Colorado A&M, now Colorado State University, graduating in 1940. He returned to Durango to work in the family business, Farmer Supply Co., marrying Eleanor that summer.
Fred always thought Durango was a wonderful place in which to grow up, raise his family, and retire. Other than his years at college and serving in the Army Air Corps during WWII, he never left Durango. He was a loving, devoted husband and father, as well as an active member of his community. His devotion to his family was exemplified by the extraordinary care he took of his son Stan, who died at 37 from muscular dystrophy, and his wife Eleanor during her 12-year battle with Alzheimer’s.
In the late 1940’s, Fred became interested in water for the Fort Lewis Mesa. He spent the next 60 years of his life working on water conservancy for southwestern CO, culminating in the completion of the Animas-La Plata Project in 2012. Fred also served for many years on the Boards of Directors of the 1st National Bank, La Plata Electric Co., and Fort Lewis Foundation, and was an active member of Kiwanis Club since 1948. His greatest honor was being elected to the Board of Governors of the National Retail Hardware Association in 1966. He served on the Board for 13 years, including one year as president.
In 1967, Fred built a new store, Kroeger’s True Value Hardware, devoted to hardware, lawn/gardening supplies, and housewares, which connected to the newly-developing Town Plaza. He then built a new building on the property previously occupied by Farmer Supply Co., now occupied by City Market. He was always proud of the hardware store that still bears his family name.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Eleanor, and their son, Stanley Kroeger. He was also preceded in death by his parents and his siblings Marjorie Stagelman, Helen Faris, and Jack Kroeger. He is survived by his daughters, Jana Newport of Durango, Marilyn (Denny) Johnson of Grand Junction, CO, and Leslie (Greg) Koczan of Mishawaka, IN, as well as by 13 grandchildren: Cynthia (Phil) Smith, Matt Newport, Edgar Newport, Jim (Sharon) Newport, John (Vanessa) Newport, Keoun Lynch, Kara (Bob) Wood, Jennifer (Paul) Reinarz, Shannon (Matt) Provost, Kimberly (Brian) Koczan-Flory, Laura (Josh) Sigler, Brian (Joanna) Koczan, and Erin (Matt) Schooler; 13 great-grand¬children; one sister-in-law (Marian Towne Wayt); and five nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Sunshine Gardens (West and Memory Care) for the care and attention they gave to Fred for the last 4 years and a very special thank you to Uta Carleno, who has been a devoted caregiver and loving family friend for over 40 years.
A memorial service will be held at a future date. Memorial contributions may be made in Fred’s name to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Alzheimer’s Association, or Fort Lewis Foundation.