Paul Gerhard Kruggel

Paul Gerhard Kruggel passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, October 6, 2004. He was 95. Paul was born in Rockwell, Iowa, on September 2, 1909 to Herman David and Anna Dreyer Kruggel. He was born at home and weighed 12 pounds! He had two sisters Olga O'Harrow and Alma Schaer, both of who preceded him in death. Surviving are his daughter, Diane Dillard and grandsons, James and Daniel Dillard of St. Helens as well as great granddaughter, Crystal Dillard. Also surviving are nieces, Valeria Pryor of Beavercreek; Jeanette Pruin of Seattle, Linda Terrano of Lincoln, Nebraska, Joanne Lynne of Bismarck, and Ginny Buehler, San Francisco, nephews, Michael Broers of Mason City, Iowa; Jon Broers of Chicago, ND and Bob Keister of Winona, MN; Peter Buehler, Columbia, OH and Pastor David Buehler of Dartmouth, MA. Paul graduated from Rockwell High School in 1929 and recalls that the night of his graduation May 27 word was received that Lindbergh landed in Paris. He played violin in the school orchestra. He graduated from Hamilton Business College and spent several years at Iowa Hardware Mutual Insurance Company. He began his banking career earlier when he worked for his father at Rockwell State Bank and then was hired by First National Bank of Mason City. He was happy that he was sent on an errand and was not in the bank when the Dillinger Boys held up that bank shooting one person and taking Paul's brother-in-law hostage along with five others. He married Elsie Eva Buehler in 1936 at St. James Lutheran Church in Mason City. Daughter Diane arrived in 1942 and unfortunately Elsie passed away in August of 1943. Paul remarried Marieta Helen Broers on april 22, 1945. She preceded him in death on March 11, 2002. The Kruggels moved to Oregon in 1954 and lived in Gresham and Rainier prior to settling in St. Helens in 1955. Paul went to work for the Bank of St. Helens and was manager in charge of opening up the Scappoose Branch. Paul retired from Western Bank in 1974 at the age of 65. He served on the Board of Directors of the St. Helens Senior Center and was instrumental in the building of the new center on 15th Street. He was an avid organic gardener whose ''green thumb'' was evident when he lived on 13 acres on Slavens Road in Warren. Paul was a good bowler and even brought home 1st place in doubles at a State meet in Reno. Paul was a member of First Lutheran Church in St. Helens and had a deep and profound faith in God. He loved visiting friends and family and even got up the nerve to jump on the back of a Harley at the age of 85 for a ride through St. Helens. Whenever he got a chance, he loved to go fishing and got his fair share of bass, trout, salmon and steelhead. He and Marieta loved to play cards especially pinochle and cribbage. Special thanks to the wonderful caregivers in his life....Barbara Roberts, Mary Rathbun, Ronda Grau, Carolyn Dredge, Lindsay Stoneman and Billie Ivey. He especially counted on his grandson, Jim, for the trips to doctors or for groceries. He was comforted by regular visits from his friend, John Hunnicutt, and he enjoyed his weekend card games with Carolyn Dredge and Cheryl Young and families. His family is grateful for his caring physician, Dr. Denise Hayward. Funeral services will be at 11a.m. Friday, October 8, at First Lutheran Church in St. Helens. Pastor L.A. Jacobson of Bethany Lutheran in Warren will be presiding. Memorial Contributions may be made to First Lutheran Church in Paul's name.

Paul Gerhard Kruggel

September 9, 1909 - October 6, 2004