Jack Krueger

Jack Krueger, 85, Grand Forks, passed away Sept. 21, 2007 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, following a brief illness. Jack Neil Krueger was born in St. Paul, Minn. on Aug. 29, 1922, the son of Paul and Christine (Wondra) Krueger. He spent much of his childhood in Mendota Heights, Minn., where he and his mother enjoyed rural life. He graduated from Monroe High School in St. Paul, and attended the University of Minnesota where he received a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering in 1944, a master's degree in electrical engineering in 1949, and degrees in agricultural and mechanical engineering, all from the University of Minnesota. He married Faith Ferestead on December 12, 1985 at First Presbyterian Church. Following their marriage they moved to a hobby farm a few miles south of East Grand Forks, Minn. Jack especially liked working in his large vegetable garden. They moved to Parkwood Place in Grand Forks about three years ago. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church and their sanctuary choir for many years. Through their interest in square dancing they opened a large store called Jack and Faith's Square Dance Shop. Jack taught and did research at various institutions before joining the University of North Dakota electrical engineering faculty as a professor in 1959. During his 28 years at UND, Jack was an active consultant to industry throughout most of his teaching career. He also worked closely with students in developing a UND experimental electric powered automobile and developed low-cost wind power systems for use on North Dakota farms and by individuals and small businesses. Jack was a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc., and was honored with an IEEE Outstanding Branch Counselor/Advisor Award. He led a SCORE team for international competition involving UND Electricar I. Jack presented many talks on solar, wind, geothermal, and hydro-electric energy, and did much study on wind energy research. He was invited to accompany the crew of the Hjemkomst Viking Ship which traveled from Duluth, Minn. to Norway in 1982, but he had to decline the honor. Jack retired from UND in 1988 as a professor emeritus. His hobbies included fishing, gardening, and rural living. He enjoyed acting in theatre, and recently joined a Readers' Theatre group in East Grand Forks. He and Faith enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and other countries. He was a member of the Masonic Order, including the Red River Lodge in East Grand Forks, the Kem Temple where he participated in the Drum and Bugle Corp., and the Red River Chapter of Eastern Star, where he held several offices, including Past Patron. He is survived by his wife Faith and a cousin Peggy Kolnberger of Forest Lake, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents. FUNERAL SERVICES: 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2007, at the 1st Presbyterian Church 5555 S. Washington Ave. in Grand Forks. VISITATION: Tuesday, September 25, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. with a 7 p.m Eastern Star Service at Amundson Funeral Home 2975 S. 42nd St. in Grand Forks, and will continue for the hour prior to the funeral at the church. INTERMENT: Memorial Park North Cemetery, Grand Forks, ND