Dale G. Kruckenberg

Dale G. Kruckenberg, 87 of Devils Lake passed away on Thursday, October 28, 2021 at Eventide Heartland Care Center surrounded by the love of family. Dale G. Kruckenberg was born January 10, 1934 to Ludwig “Louie” and Hattie (Grosz) Kruckenberg in Hazen, ND. He attended eight years of country school northeast of Hazen. He then attended Hazen High School graduating with the Class of 1952. Dale was active in FFA in high school and as a senior he was on the state livestock and grain judging team that went to Kansas City to the National Judging Competition. Dale attended the University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND from 1952 – 1953, he then volunteered for the draft being called to active duty in October 1953. He took eight weeks of basic infantry training at Ft. Riley, KS, followed by eight weeks of lineman training at the same base, all with the 10th Mountain Division. Then it was on to Ft. Lewis, WA to an Infantry Holding Company for two months and then to Ft. Lewis, WA to Camp Gilmore, NJ and eventually to Hanau, Germany outside of Frankfurt. There serving with the 4th Infantry Division. Dale spent most of his time in Germany attached to UN Force’s on the Czechoslovakia and Berlin borders. This assignment was due to Dale’s being able to speak German. Dale was honorably discharged on October 21, 1955 at Ft. Sheridan, IL. Dale married Joanne Landseidel in July 1963 in Minot, ND. Joanne had two sons from a previous marriage, Jeffery (Tili), Phoenix, AZ; Mark (Cathy), Anthem, AZ. Dale and Joanne made their home in Velva, Hazen and then Devils Lake in 1966. They had one son, David, born in 1964. This marriage ended in divorce in 1975. In 1978, Dale married Joyce Bednarz. They continued to live, work and raise their family in Devils Lake. In their early retirement, they spent winters in Arizona and Texas; traveled through Mexico including the Copper Canyon; cruises to Islands and the east and west Caribbean, Hawaii, Alaska and the Panama Canal. Joyce and Dale were able to visit most states by car or by bus. A highlight trip was to Norway, land of Joyce’s, cousins and many ancestors. At one time, Dale belonged to the Eagles Club, the Elks Club, the American Legion, 40/8, Cooties and is a lifetime member of the VFW Post 756 and was a District 6 Commander from 1975 – 76. Dale was also involved in youth activities helping build outdoor hockey rinks and baseball diamond dug outs. He served as VFW State Youth Activities Director under two State VFW Commanders and during that time started a VFW State Peewee Hockey Tournament and a statewide VFW and National Guard youth camp that was held at Camp Grafton. This was when Major General Murrey was commander of the ND National Guard. Dale was a member of Post 756 Honor Guard since 1976. Dale was a High Voltage Lineman for Western Area Power Association (WAPA) for over 23 years. Prior to joining WAPA, Dale worked in powerline construction for 14 years in various states and then for 4 years with UPA. Dale was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church, Devils Lake since 1976. He volunteered to coordinate the volunteers at Our Saviors for a remodeling project from July through November of 1995. Dale is survived by his son David (Kimberly) Kruckenberg, Matthews, NC; stepchildren Kelly Bednarz, Devils Lake, Robert Bednarz, Billings MT, Tami (Todd) Romine, and Brenda (Sonya) Bednarz all of Devils Lake and Jason (Ann) Bednarz, Fargo, ND; grandchildren Josh Bednarz; Tyson (Kim) Bednarz and Taylor Bednarz; Jared and Jordan Garcia (Catherine); Randi (Levi) Heisler, Marsten (Marcella) Bednarz; great grandchildren Macen, Aspen and Max Heisler and Gretchen Bednarz; sister-in-law Lorraine Ohm; several nieces and nephews also survive. Dale was preceded in death by his parents; wife Joyce; grandsons Dane Garcia and Shaun Bellile; sisters Elsie Enloe and Murphy Grant, brothers Arley Kruckenberg and Ray Kruckenberg, and brother-in-law Quentin Jelsing. Urn Bearers will be great grandsons Macen, Aspen and Max Heisler. Reading Scripture will be Randi Heisler.