June Eileen Kruger

With her family at her side, June Eileen Kruger went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the early hours of February 13, 2024.

She was born June Eileen Peterson, at Esmond, North Dakota in the home of her parents Nickolai Alvin Peterson and Helen (Ragna Helena Fuglestad) Peterson on February 10, 1937. June’s Norwegian heritage has it’s roots in North Dakota, where her mother’s parents John Fuglestad (Johan Martin Larssen) and Elise Olson (Lise Marie Olsdatter), and her father’s parents Peter N. Peterson and Anna Marie Rude all settled after emigrating from Norway. The Norwegian language was commonly heard in June’s home but only spoken by her parents, and then typically, when the topic was not for children’s ears.

June’s family moved to Duluth, Minnesota at the beginning of World War II where her father Nick found employment at the shipyards. She attended Nettleton Elementary School, Washington Jr. High School, and graduated from Duluth Central in 1955. The family attended First Lutheran Church, and June was a member of the first confirmation class to celebrate confirmation in the new building on Superior Street in 1951. A woman of deep faith, she saw to the religious training of all of her children through regular church and Sunday school attendance. As a young single mother of five, she still found time to type the weekly church bulletin and host women’s Bible study groups at her home.

June had a lifelong interest in beauty and cosmetics. She began selling Avon products as a young woman, using the money she earned to provide Christmas presents for her family. She also worked in that field at Glass Block and Darlene’s Beauty Castle, both in the Miller Hill Mall. June had several jobs during her lifetime; her favorite was when she worked as a carhop during the summers in the mid 1950’s at the A&W near the ore docks in the West End. All of the other employees were from Denfeld and she was treated as somewhat of a celebrity being the only girl from Central High School. She worked as a secretary for the Fatherless Boys Association in Duluth, and for Lake Superior College for many years retiring as a supervisor in the Media/Copy Center.

June married Don Kruger on December 17, 1977 and they had many adventures together during their 46 years of marriage. Not a traveler by nature, after her first trip to Las Vegas she and Don became frequent visitors of that fair city. June and her husband Don were members of the OBOB Softball League for many years where they participated in many activities and developed many close friendships.

She always had an interest in art and she has left her family with several cherished oil paintings of her creation. June was very skilled with a needle and thread, and crafted many beautiful outfits for her daughters. Her home was always open to family and friends and she hosted countless family gatherings full of fun and fellowship over the years. Some of her children’s favorite memories are of the exciting summer trips in the 1970’s to June’s hometown of Esmond, North Dakota to visit her relatives. The quiet ways of the sleepy little town were always disrupted when the Stainbrooks and their Miletich cousins arrived to stay with their Uncle Martin Peterson.

June is preceded in death by her beloved son Joseph Stainbrook, Jr., parents Nick & Helen Peterson, brother Robert Peterson, infant brother and sister James and Delores Peterson, former spouses Michael Zempel, and Joseph Stainbrook.

June is survived by her husband Donald Kruger, children Michael (Patricia) Stainbrook, Stephanie (Gary) Lucas, Tami (Fred) Sylvester, Quint (Robyn Rohweder) Stainbrook, eleven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, her brother Dennis Peterson, sister Carol (Eli) Miletich, and numerous nieces and nephews all of whom she loved dearly.

Funeral Service is 11:00 Saturday, February 17, 2024 at First Lutheran Church, 1100 E Superior St, Duluth, MN 55802. Visitation 10:00 until the 11:00 Service, with a luncheon to follow at the church. Committal service and burial at Oneota Cemetery that afternoon. Arrangements by Williams Lobermeier Boettcher Funeral Home.