Kathleen Kruger

FITCHBURG - Kathleen M. Kruger (71) had a beautiful, peaceful passing surrounded by her siblings, children and grandchildren at Agrace Hospice on Thursday, May 1, 2014. Cancer and pulmonary fibrosis won the yearlong battle, but the "Queen of Color" put up one heck-of-a fight. Born a Golden Gopher, she converted to Badgerism when she moved to Madison during her freshman year. Fortunately, she met her husband, Fritz, that year (fortunately, that is for Fritz) and were married in August of 1966 after Fritz finally realized what a tremendous girl he was dating.

Kathy graduated from West High School and then St. Mary's School of Nursing. She worked in the medical ICU at U.W. Hospital and was on their first kidney dialysis team before taking a 10 year break to be a wonderful mom to Kristin, Steven and Jessica and the neighborhood nurse to the Harris Circle Bunch. She then worked as an outreach worker at the Fitchburg Senior Center and later, a nurse for the Mobil Outreach to Seniors Team program at the Dane County Mental Health Center. Kathy served on the parish council at Holy Mother of Consolation Church, was a Hospice volunteer, President of the Oregon Pre-School, President of the Town and Country Women's Club and served almost 25 years on the Fitchburg Commission on Aging as well as other organizations. She loved her most recent group of sisters in P.E.O.

Kathy found her flair for color as a crafter when she began her business, String and Things, selling fiber wearable art at craft fairs. After a few years her basement was filled with art supplies and she informed Fritz he should refer to her as an ARTIST! Kathy found great joy in the colors and textures in her surroundings and had a gift for transforming that passion into art. St. Vinny's and Goodwill will probably have to lay off staff as Kathy was always on the prowl for items for her upcycled creations. She loved to share her creative talents with her many friends, exchange ideas with the 14 South Artists and could be counted on to bring a new art project with her to every visit with her grandchildren.

She was a gentle soul who touched many people. She and Fritz were blessed with many trips all over the world, and even to a few Canadian islands on their anniversaries. Summers always included weeks at the family Canadian cabin where she had many close friends. Kathy is survived by her husband, Fritz; her children, Kristin Sanden (Greg), Steven (MaryJo), and Jessica Czajka (Frank); 8 grandchildren (Maya, Evan and Adia Sanden, Katherine and Marianna Kruger, and Jackson, Natalie and Graham Czajka); and her brothers, Rob Druckenbrod (MaryEllen), David Druckenbrod (Patty); and sister, Samara Druckenbrod (Joanna). Her greatest love in life was family and she loved receiving the latest news on her grandchildren. She is deeply missed.

A visitation will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 10, 2014 at Holy Mother of Consolation Church, 651 N. Main St., Oregon followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2 p.m. Following the mass everyone is invited to the Bergamont Country Club in Oregon to celebrate Kathy's well-lived life and send her off in style. We ask the folks coming to Kathy's memorial to wear colorful clothes to honor The Queen of Color.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the wonderful folks at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg or to the Madison Children's Museum Arts at 100 N. Hamilton Street, Madison, Wisconsin.

Cress-West