Eugene Kruchten

Eugene W. Kruchten, 82, of Fort Ripley, passed away on Thursday, July 30th at his home. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:00 A.M. Monday, August 3, 2009 at St. Mathias Catholic Church in St. Mathias. Interment is in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery North of Little Falls Visitation is 4 - 8 P.M. on Sunday, August 2, 2009 at the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls and at the church one hour prior to the service. There will be a Parish Prayer service at 7:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home. Eugene William Kruchten was born on August 2, 1926 in St. Cloud, Minnesota the son of Arnold P. & Magdlena T. (Neeser) Kruchten. He graduated from St. Cloud High School and then entered the U.S. Navy. He was united in marriage to Luella Trotterchaud on February 6, 1956 at the Olathe Naval Air Base. The couple made their home on the Great Lakes Naval Air Station. They later moved to the Olathe Naval Air Base. Between the moves, Eugene was stationed on several ships out at sea. When he returned they moved to Norfolk Naval Air Base and then Sandpoint Naval Air Station. After 23 years of service, Eugene retired from the Navy. At which time he and Luella returned to Minnesota and made their home in Fort Ripley. Eugene worked at Crestliner and Larson Boats in Little Falls and later Brainerd State Hospital for 17 years. He enjoyed traveling with family, fishing with his grandchildren, tinkering with old cars, cooking for the family and gardening. A few words that describe Eugene are loyal, cherished, devoted, honest, hero, mentor and friend. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Survived by wife, Luella Kruchten of Fort Ripley; children, LaDonna (John Miller) Kruchten of Coon Rapids, Stephanie (Lloyd) Adamski of Granite Falls, WA, Connie (James) Guck of Fort Ripley, Mary (Dale) Skillings of Long Prairie, John (RaeAnn) Kruchten of Burtrum, Michael (Kathy Hanson) Kruchten of Ellendale, MN, and Kandee (Bradley) Denny of Fort Ripley; brothers, Michael (Jeanne) Kruchten of Fort Ripley, Richard (Mary) Kruchten of Brainerd, David (Emma) Kruchten of Fort Ripley; sisters, Eleanor Rudolph of Medford, OR, Geraldine Scepurek of Little Falls, Theresa DesRosier of Little Falls; 20 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by parents, Arnold & Magdlena; son, Eugene William, Jr.; grandchildren, Nicholas Skillings and Kimberly Skillings; great-grandchildren, Abigail Skillings and Dominic Williams; brothers, Merlin and Jerome Kruchten; sisters, Victoria Rudolph and Maryanne Rudolph. Honorary pallbearers will be Dave Mass, Justin Adamski, Jeramy Skillings, Ben Kruchten, Davey Kruchten, Zachary Denny, Michael Kruchten, Garret Kruchten, Jason Adamski, Peter Treasure, and Steven Rear. Casketbearers will be Michael Kruchten, Bruce Kruchten, Laverne Kruchten, Lawrence, Kruchten, Spencer Kruchten, Edwin Scepurek, Charlie Rudolph, Richard Trotterchaud, Dennis Lease, and Frank Denny.