Ernest "Ernie" Kroeger passed peacefully on May 15, 2021.

Ernest Charles Kroeger was born on August 18, 1930 to Otto and Augusta (Jordan) Kroeger the  youngest of nine children. He was raised on the family farm attending Pleasant Valley District school and then graduating from Hartford High. He was drafted into the army and served in the army security agency in Gissen, Germany. He monitored the Russians across the river, during the Korean War, 1951-1953.

Ernie and Jean met on a blind date, they were married February 20, 1955 in Canova, South Dakota. Ernie farmed his whole life, but in his spare time, Ernie and his son Chris built 8 houses.

Ernie was a life time member of Zion Lutheran Church in Hartford. He served as Sunday school Superintendent for several years, he served on Zion council and Zion cemetery board. He helped with many projects in the church including a lot of the woodwork in the church.

Ernie was a lifetime member of Legion post 118 in Hartford and commander Legionnaire of the year 2001-2002 of Post 118 and the district Legionnaire that same year. He also was a lifetime member of the VFW in Sioux Falls.

Ernie served on Hartford city council, Hartford township board, Sioux Valley Energy board for 23 years and East River Electric 3 years.

As a member of Hartford City Council he was given the authority to organize a fund drive to finance and build a new fire station with workers from the community. Ernie had a dream of a Veteran's memorial in Hartford, with volunteer help of the Hartford Community donations, that dream came true. May 25, 2002 was proclaimed Ernie Kroeger Day, thanks to mayor Patty Siemonsma. After attending Jean's high school reunion he decided to help start one in Hartford, the first year there were 800 alumni in attendance.

Ernie and Jean loved to travel, they visited all of the states, 40 foreign countries several times. They had 3 exchange students Javier Alphonso from Argentina, Oliver Klein from German and Sylvie Margeson from France. They have hosted 47 foreign visitors in their home. They attended weddings in Holland, France, Argentina and Hong Kong.

He was blessed 66 years with his wife Jean; son Chris (Vanessa) Kroeger, daughter Linda (Bryan) Albers; six grandchildren Samantha (Chad) Meirose, Josh (Amanda) Kroeger, Jesse (Tiffany) Kroeger, Kyle and Chase Albers, BreeAnn (Daniel) Evans; eight great grandchildren Ryan, Eloise, Emerson, and Clara Kroeger, Landen Holewa, Kian Kroeger, Trace and Mya Evans.

He was preceded in death by son Glen, parents, Otto and Augusta, four brothers Lawrence, Arthur, Marvin, Eldon; sisters Edna Shumaker, Clare Hoeck, Gladys Rehder and Eunice Crittenden; and grandson-in-law Wayne Hoff.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 22, 2021, at Zion Lutheran Church in rural Hartford. Visitation with family present to greet friends will be Friday, May 21, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home, Hartford Chapel in Hartford, SD.

The family  would like to extend their sincere thanks to Ava's House for the loving care they provided to Ernie and the family.