James L. Krueger

 James L. Krueger, affectionately known as “Jim,” a beloved longtime resident of Waukesha, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on April 20, 2025, at the age of 87.Born on March 30, 1938, in Holway, Wisconsin to Harry and Edna (née Halverson) Krueger, Jim moved to Waukesha in the fall of 1952—a community he would proudly call home for the rest of his life. For 72 years, Jim was a dedicated member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, where he actively participated in numerous ministries and found great joy in serving others.Jim proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force for four years, stationed in Tripoli, Libya. After his service, he began a 35-year career with the Waukesha Post Office, where he spent the last 25 years at the front customer counter. His warm smile, kind words, and remarkable service made him a familiar and cherished face throughout Waukesha and even to those visiting from afar.Following his retirement from the Post Office, Jim continued to serve his community through a second career delivering prescriptions to the elderly and homebound for over 10 years at Value Care Pharmacy. A longtime member of the Waukesha Elks Club, Jim also enjoyed participating in several bowling leagues over the years.Jim’s heart was full of love for his late wife Sandy, with whom he shared 46 wonderful years until her passing in 2009. Together, they traveled extensively across the U.S., created lasting memories during annual Northwoods family vacations, and shared a love for cheering on the Milwaukee Brewers. Above all, Jim was a devoted “Pops,” never missing a single school or sports event for his beloved grandchildren.He will be dearly missed by his daughters Amy (Mike) Aldrich and Jennifer (Kevin) Thorstad; grandchildren Erik Aldrich, Meghan (Matt) Ebbe, Madeline and Lucas Thorstad; and great-grandchildren Camryn and Logan Aldrich, and Penelope Ebbe. Jim is also survived by his sister Karen Hoeppner; brother Pete (Kathy) Krueger; sister-in-law Sharon Krueger; and many cherished nieces, nephews, other relatives, and lifelong friends.Jim was preceded in death by his beloved wife Sandy; his parents; grandparents; five brothers; four sisters-in-law; and one brother-in-law.A visitation will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home (237 N. Moreland Blvd, Waukesha, WI 53188). A second visitation will take place on Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church (300 Carroll St, Waukesha, WI 53186) from 10:00 AM until the service at 11:00 AM. A private family burial will follow at Highland Memorial Park Cemetery in New Berlin.In lieu of flowers, memorials in Jim’s honor may be directed to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, the Alzheimer’s Association https://alzfdn.org/donate , or to the family.The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Three Pillars in Dousman and Allay Hospice for the compassionate care and support they provided to Jim in the final chapter of his life.

Jim Krueger was a kind, faithful, and hardworking man who lived his life in service to others. His legacy of warmth, generosity, and dedication will live on in all who had the privilege to know and love him.