Victor A Krueger

Victor Albert Krueger, affectionately known as “Vic,” lived a long and beautiful life. Vic was born January 25, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. Chicagoland was his home; he loved Chicago and took great pride in it. He quietly passed away in his Arlington Heights home on January 10, 2026. Vic was surrounded by the love of family and friends.

As a devout Catholic, Vic grew up attending St. Genevieve Church, Chicago where he was an altar server during his childhood years. As an adult he was an active parishioner at St. James Church in Arlington Heights for over 65 years. He volunteered for many of the parish events and engaged in several leadership roles.

Vic was a World War II Veteran. He served in the Navy as a Hospital Corpsman Technician (rank HA1c) and was assigned to the USS BB-38 Pennsylvania battleship. During his time of service, he received the American Area Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

He was a hard-working man. Following the war, Vic attended DeVry University in Chicago as an electrician apprentice and earned a degree in 1950. For the next 38 years, Victor's primary employment was with the Board of Education working as an Electrical Foreman. Through ongoing employment with additional private electrical companies, he made significant contributions to the expanding Chicagoland community. He assisted in the development of electrical plans for Marina Towers and assisted in the installation of the first runway lights at O'Hare International Airport. Victor was also a 70-year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW).

Within his communities, Vic’s work ethic was unmatched. He was actively involved throughout his life, volunteering his time and energy. Vic was a life-long member of the Boy Scouts of America for over

83 years. During this time, he received the National Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service. He served in roles which included a troop and explorer leader, a merit base counselor, and a camp counselor, as well serving as a member of the Chicago Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Vic was also was a 50-year member of the Elks Lodge 1526 located in Des Plaines, Illinois. He was active in their meetings, banquets, and events. With an unwavering commitment to his faith, a special place of worship for Vic was the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. For over 20 years he volunteered his skills as a craftsman to restore irreplaceable antiques and make specialized pieces for the community. Given his philanthropic heart, he donated a larger-than-life bronze statue of St. Francis to the Renewal Center. This now sits at the entrance of the church welcoming all those who enter. In addition, he was a member of the De La Rosa Society. This afforded him the opportunity to donate life-size statues of the Stations of the Cross that are presently at Mission San Luis Rey in Southern California.

Vic had many passions. He was an enthusiast when it came to exploring the National Parks. On an annual basis, he would pack up his family and travel west, purposefully camping at these parks to discover their unique beauty and history. He also had a soft spot for Route 66. Annually, he would travel this route from Illinois to Arizona, stopping along the way to collect memorabilia and snap photos of old gas stations, barns, and restaurants. He was always intrigued with antiques. One could always find him knee-deep in projects such as making or restoring clocks, birdhouses, furniture, and statues. His faith guided him in his love for making crosses. Many of these crosses contained relics, family medals, and earth from different holy environments.

Vic had a magnetic personality; people gravitated to him, and he accepted and loved them all. Loyalty to family and friends is the most fitting character trait to describe him. He had a supportive and caring nature, often arranging for extended and life-long support. He was always there to provide his love, comfort, and safety. Victor had a great sense of humor and certainly could be the life of the party. He loved to dance! He was funny! If you were around Vic, you were guaranteed to laugh because he had a great story or funny joke to tell you. He was compassionate, loving, caring, attentive … and hilarious.

Vic was preceded in death by his loving mother, Eleanore Krueger, his brother, George Krueger, his first wife Towilla Embody Krueger, his second wife Mary Baumann Krueger, his daughter, Cathleen Wilson, and his sons, Allen Krueger and Larry Krueger. He is survived by his daughters, Andrea Liston, Terri Hickman, and Pat Grill, his son, Ted Krueger and four extended sons/daughters, Chuck Baumann, Claudia Upton, Bob Baumann, and Laurie Chang. He leaves behind 20 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 15 nieces and nephews.

The funeral mass will take place on Friday, January 23, 2026 at 12 noon at St. James Catholic Church, 831N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL. Internment will follow at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery, Belmont and N. Cumberland Ave, River Grove, IL.

Memorial donations can be made to Friends of Tillamook Air Museum at: friendsoftillamookairmuseum.org. Vic was stationed at the Tillamook Airbase during World War II. Funds are desperately needed to maintain Hangar B that was used to house blimps that would patrol the coasts for enemy activity.