Kruger, Mengel M.Mengel "Curly" Marvin Kruger passed away Sunday, December 12, 2016, in his Athens, Wisconsin, home due to paratoid gland cancer. He was born on July 7, 1933, to Henry and Tillie (Van Hauen) Kruger in Parkersburg, Iowa. When he graduated from Bristow High School in 1951, he declined an offer from the St. Louis Browns, a minor league baseball team, to attend their training camp and instead joined the Navy. During his 4-year military service, he trained as a boilermaker on the USS Halsey Powell (DD686). He also trained as part of the Navy Underwater Demolition Team. Upon Mengel's honorable discharge in 1956, he worked throughout Iowa perfecting his skills in pipefitting, welding, and repairing refrigerated equipment, steam operated equipment, and electrical equipment. In 1972, Plantation Foods of Waco, Texas, recruited him to build a new turkey processing plant.Late one night in 1977, the Pinkerton Security guard stationed at Plantation Foods locked herself out of the guard shack. After she broke the window and crawled through, she called Mengel to come in to repair the window. Cindy Moon, the security guard, recognized Mengel as her knight in shining armor. They were married on October 30, 1977.Mengel accepted a job in Milan, Wisconsin, with Kraft Foods, Inc., which was later purchased by Foremost Farms. He delighted in his hobby farm of registered Guernseys, woodworking, and his family.He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Cindy Kruger, son Val (Sue) Kruger of Morristown, MN; Robin Kruger of Faribault, MN; Michael (Dee) of Waterloo, IA; Christopher (Samantha) Kruger of Chicago, IL; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; a sister, Kathleen Schweenen of Jessup, IA; as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law, and two nephews. The family will be having a private service at a later time. Peterson/Kraemer Funeral Home, Athens is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com In lieu of flowers or gifts, Mengel would have appreciated a donation to be made to the Ministry Hospice Care that helped us with this transition. Donations can be made through their website here: https://ministryhealth.org/display/router.aspx?docid=26021&