Maurice H. Kruger, age 90, of De Smet, SD, passed away on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at his residence.  Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 19, 2022, at the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel in De Smet, SD.  Rev. Gary Anderson will officiate.  The service will be live streamed via the Crawford-Osthus Funeral Chapel website.

Visitation will take place prior to the funeral service on Tuesday beginning at 9:30 a.m.

Burial will be at the De Smet Cemetery in De Smet, SD.  Military graveside honors will be provided by the De Smet American Legion Post #138 and the Military Funeral Honors Team of the SD Army National Guard.  Pallbearers will be Heather Kruger, Mallen Krueger, Mathew Furness, Nicholas Kruger, Kalyn Kruger, Garrett Kruger and Danielle Kruger.

Maurice was born to Henry and Florence (Gehm) Kruger on July 2, 1932.  He was raised on a farm South of De Smet where his love for animals and the land began.  After graduating from DeSmet High School, he enlisted in the National Guard serving as a radio operator in Germany during the Korean War era.  After his discharge from the Military, he attended SDSU, majoring in Agriculture.

Maurice was united in marriage to Sharon Mohror on June 7, 1957, at the Arlington Trinity Lutheran Church. From this union three sons were born: Steven, Keven and Lonny.

The couple resided in Brookings, SD, for two years before building their home south of De Smet where Maurice spent most of his life raising Black Angus cattle and farming. He was involved in the Junior Angus Association and enjoyed taking his sons to cattle shows. Maurice was also involved with the DAV Chapter #22 in Brookings as well as the PVA North Central Chapter in Sioux Falls. Maurice loved to tell stories of his time in Germany as a radio operator.

Maurice and Sharon welcomed seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.  Being a grandfather was his greatest joy. He enjoyed going to concerts, games and special events for his grandkids. If one of the kids ever needed him, Maurice and Sharon loaded up the station wagon making sure they had plenty of lemon heads and headed down the road but ONLY if the seat belts were clicked.

Maurice is survived by two sons, Keven Kruger and Lonny (Christina) Kruger; seven grandchildren: Heather (Paul Hanson) Kruger, Mallen Krueger, Nicholas Kruger, Kalyn Kruger, Veronica Dahl, LaRen Engelkes and  Mathew Furness; five great-grandchildren: Garrett Kruger, Danielle Kruger, DJ Plummer, Tracy Engelkes and Raelynn Engelkes.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sharon; his parents; his brother, Roger; and his son, Steven.