Janice Gloria Krueger

Janice "Jan" Krueger

April 8, 1945 - March 29, 2026

Aged 80, longtime resident of Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Passed away on Palm Sunday at 11:11 pm.

Jan was a loving, devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was preceded in death by parents Valentine and Emily Blazejewski, brother Dennis Blazejewski and grandson Bennett Krueger.

Jan is survived and missed greatly by Walter (Walt), her husband of over 60 years, their children Dan (Brenda) Krueger, Cherlynne Krueger (Stephen Harmon) and David Krueger, grandchildren Alayna (Connor) Evens, Kenna Krueger (Ben Kroll, fiancẻ), Marcellus Krueger, Persephone Krueger and many other beloved nieces, nephews, friends and family.

Jan was born in Hallock, MN, grew up in Lancaster, MN and graduated from Lancaster High School in 1963. After high school, Jan attended Northland Community and Technical College in Thief River Falls, MN, ultimately graduating with a beautician certificate. Jan and Walt met in the fall of 1963, were married in 1965 and moved to Inver Grove Heights, MN to settle down and begin growing their family. She was a hairdresser from age 19 to 78, a passion which never truly left her. Jan would visit homes of the elderly to give hair cuts, perms or whatever was requested. As a result of her kindness, she developed lasting friendships with many of them.

When she wasn't tending to peoples' hair, you could find her walking the Lake Elmo Park Reserve, admiring the local gardens or spending time with her family. Jan was an avid reader who absolutely loved to line dance and cook traditional meals inspired by her childhood. Jan was particularly passionate about gardening. In fact, her family swears she earned unofficial "master gardener" status through growing vegetables and flowers for decades.

Jan loved to travel. Over the years, she was able to visit Australia, Europe (multiple times), Jamaica, Hawaii, most states in the US as well as journey south for an annual winter getaway to Alabama's Gulf Coast; this was her favorite oceanside destination.

The family will be creating a memorial sunflower and reflection garden for everyone to enjoy on Jan and Walt's property in Lake Elmo this spring, in honor of Jan and her love of gardening. If you would like to honor Jan in some way, bringing a perennial plant/flower to be added to the memorial garden, would not only be welcomed but cherished. Gift cards from your favorite local greenhouse would also be deeply appreciated. Public updates on the creation of this memorial garden will be posted on Jan's Facebook page.

A celebration of life service will be held at Halcyon Cemetery and Gathering Center, 11050 50th Street N, Lake Elmo, MN on April 8th, 2026, at 11:00 am, with a visitation beginning at 10:00 am. Catered lunch follows service.

Please click this link to read one of Jan's favorite poems - https://tinyurl.com/the-dash