Vicki Eileen (Harris) Kruger was born on August 24, 1950 in Amery, Wisconsin the daughter of Arden and Marie (Klingelhoets) Soltau. They lived in Turtle Lake and she attended Turtle Lake High School graduating in 1968. On March 22, 1969 she was united in marriage to Brad Harris and to this union two children were born. They lived in Amery, Wisconsin and she worked as an Office Manager at the Polk County Extension Office in Balsam Lake. On July 8, 2000 she was married to Dennis Kruger. They moved to Webster, South Dakota where they owned and operated a guesthouse for hunters and fishermen. There she also worked as a secretary for a mental healthcare facility. Vicki was a gardener, both flowers and vegetables. She was accomplished in crocheting and sewing as well. One activity she really enjoyed was dancing. Vicki was blessed with three grandchildren. They were her greatest love and constant joy. She was also very excited about her two new grandbabies which were soon to arrive. Just a few weeks ago she was diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. She chose the hard road and chose to fight with the hope of a long life at the end. She endured chemotherapy and all the side effects that went along with it. As infection set in and her will was still strong, her body became too weak to fight any longer. Vicki died at St. John's Hospital on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at the age of 59 years.
Her parents, an infant brother James and husband Dennis Kruger preceded her in death. Left to mourn her loss are her children: Andrea (Mark) Wenzel; Kipp (Desiree) Harris and three grandchildren Samuel, Maxx and Austin; brothers: Robert (Terri) Soltau, Chuck (Mona) Soltau, Joe (Annie) Soltau, and Tim Soltau; sister Linda (Steve) Kjeseth as well as other relatives and friends.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Ann's Catholic Church in Turtle Lake on Saturday March 20, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. with Father David Lusson officiating. Internment will be at St. Ann's Cemetery at a later date. Casketbearers were: Joe Soltau, Mark Wenzel, Bob Soltau, Steve Kjeseth, Tim Soltau, and Brad Harris. Organist was Laura Lindquist. Vocalist was Cindy Moe.