Dennis Ray Krueger was born on November 6, 1937 to Otto “Joe” and Hattie Krueger in Aleman, Texas. He grew up on the family farm, and spent his Sundays at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, where he was baptized on November 25, 1937 and confirmed on May 11, 1952 and remained a lifelong member. Dennis attended parochial school at St. Paul’s, as well, for his primary education before graduating from Hamilton High School in 1956. After graduation, Dennis joined the United States’ National Guard Reserve and lived for a bit in Ft. Worth, where he worked for Western Electric Company.
On August 22, 1959, Dennis married Bernadene Marwitz of Indian Gap at Trinity Lutheran Church in Pottsville, Texas. Dennis and Bernadene made their home in Hamilton, where they welcomed three daughters, Denise Joy in 1962, Denette Joyce in 1965 and Deanna Joan in 1969. Dennis worked for Sprint Telephone Company (formerly Gulf States United) in Hamilton for 41 years, before retiring in 2000. A lifelong farmer, Dennis also raised cattle and hogs on the farm and enjoyed a garden with each spring, summer and fall season. He enjoyed raising show animals with his children and grandchildren, and hunting and fishing with his sons-in-law, friends and later grandsons. Dennis loved family gatherings full of sauerkraut and sausage making at his parent’s home place.
Dennis passed away on August 1, 2018 in Hamilton at the age of 80. He was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Hattie Krueger and his beloved daughter Denette Gilmore. Dennis is survived by his wife of 58 years Bernadene of Hamilton. His daughters Denise Hughes and partner Terry Horton, and Deanna Melde and husband Darrell, all of Hamilton and son-in-law Kevin Gilmore of Abilene; grandchildren Jessica Hughes of Stephenville, Jeremy Hughes and wife Lindsy of Gatesville, and Dylan Melde of Hamilton, Devyn Gilmore of Ft. Worth and Dawson Melde of Hamilton. Dennis is also survived by his sisters; Betty Jo Haile of Weatherford and Patsy Melde and husband Mark of Hamilton, and his cousin, Barbara Feldman of Hamilton, as well as a host of nieces, nephews and dear friends.
