Ehrenfried "Ernie" Kroeger

Ehrenfried (Ernie) Raymond Kroeger, 89, of WaKeeney, KS passed away March 31, 2018 at Trego Lemke Memorial Hospital. He was born on December 21, 1928 in Ellis, KS to Louis H. and Minnie (Armbruster) Kroeger. He married Delores "Jean" Bolen on December 29, 1947. Ernie attended school in Ellis, KS. He retired from United Telephone Company in 1991 after working 41 years and he also retired from the Fire Department. He was a member of the WaKeeney Men’s Bowling Association, Lions Club, and Eagles Lodge. Ernie loved bowling, camping, and riding his motorcycle in his younger days as well as dancing, including Polka, Waltz, and Square dancing. He was light on his feet until the very end. He loved watching high school and college football and basketball and attending car races. Those close to him know him as the Bacon Man. He always had a smile on his face and he loved his family dearly. Ernie is survived by his daughters Sandra Schoenberger and husband Darrell of Mankato, Wanda Kroeger and husband Gary of WaKeeney, and Raelene Stoecklein and husband Rod of Garden City; son-in-law Curtis Eveleigh of Norton; brother Curt Kroeger and wife Marie of Florence, OR; sister Tillie Claycamp and husband Vernon of Santa Maria, CA; grandchildren Tonya Pearson (Jerot), Tracey Schoenberger, Vickie Greener (David), Christine Thompson (Brian), Nicole Stevens (Matt), Craig Eveleigh (Catrina), Kami Jamison (Jarod), Kirk Lang (Liz), Sally Hebb (James), Amber Zimmerman (Shawn), and Emma Stoecklein; great-grandchildren Caleb, Zach and Bethany Pearson, Megan Schoenberger, Seth and Matthew Greener, Bailey and Kinley Thompson, Reme Stevens, Natalie, Alex and BreeAnna Eveleigh, Ella and Emery Jamison, Jadyn, Paisley and Aubrey Jean Zimmerman; and 2 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean of 66 years; daughter Debra Eveleigh; brothers Henry Kroeger, Lawrence Kroeger, Bill Armbruster, and Oscar Armbruster; and sisters Freda Sanders and Dorothy Claycamp. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. at The Eagles Lodge in WaKeeney. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at The Church of God in WaKeeney. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions be made to TCHS Athletic Department and may be sent in care of Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.plumeroverlease.com