Celebration of life services for Vicki Jo Kruger, 76, of Lakewood, CO, and formerly of Mound City will be at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Norway Lutheran Church. Vicki passed away Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital in Aberdeen. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is entrusted with services.

In Loving Memory of Vicki Jo Kruger

Vicki Jo (Rodenburg) Kruger was born July 10, 1947, in Bismarck, North Dakota, to Willis and Violet (Schuetzle) Rodenburg. In 1949, the family moved to a farm northwest of Mound City.

She attended grade school in Mound City and graduated from Pollock High School, where she met her love and lifelong partner, Rodger David Kruger. She then attended the National College of Business in Rapid City, earning an Associate of Science degree in Business.

Rodger and Vicki married on July 8, 1967. After they married, they moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. In 1968 they moved to Pollock, where Vicki worked at the Pollock Pioneer. In 1969, they moved to the Rodenburg farm.

Two children were born to this union: Trent David, born May 16, 1970, and Tara Jo, born August 5, 1973. In 1979, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where they owned and operated an Amoco Service Station. Vicki was the bookkeeper for the Amoco and also worked at Jewish Family Services for 20 years.

Family, friends, and faith were the centerpieces of her life. She was an involved member of Norway Lutheran Church in Glenham, South Dakota, and Atonement Lutheran Church in Lakewood, Colorado. She sang in the choir, served on the Columbarium Committee, and was a member of the Church Council.

She enjoyed snowmobile, motorcycle, and camping trips with friends throughout her life. In retirement, Rodger and Vicki traveled the country in their RV, visiting family and friends. Vicki loved uncovering hidden gems to visit along the way. She could always be found with a knitting or crocheting project and spent many mornings texting encouragement and love.

Vicki was full of spunk and spark. She will be remembered for her style, shoes, and infectious laugh. She was the one to capture the moment in a photo, drink a beer to celebrate with those around her, and lighten any situation with a smile, a word, or merely her presence. She celebrated life and the people in her life. Somehow, she made everyone feel seen, loved, and important. She was always humble, but we all knew who was the brightest star in the room.

Thankful for having shared her life are her loving husband of 56 years, Rodger; son Trent, daughter Tara; grandchildren Kaylee Flowers (husband Steven), Keegan, Dakota, Brynn, and Bennett; great-grandchildren Tohby, Charleigh, Shyloh, Bhynx, Phoenyx, Rayna, and Stetson; brother Mark Rodenburg (wife Sue), sister RoxAnne Zimmerman, sister-in-laws Irene Ryckman, Margaret Salzer, Barbara Wessel (husband Dean); a loving family of in-laws, nieces and nephews, and a network of friends spanning her lifetime.

Another celebration of life will be held in Denver, Colorado, in July 2024.

While she adored flowers, Vicki would be honored if donations were made to Norway Lutheran Church or Atonement Lutheran Church in her name.

Services will be livestreamed on the Norway Lutheran Church SD Facebook page.