Harold Louis Krueger, Jr., 76, of Chadron, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 29, 2024. His Celebration of Life service will be held at 2pm on Friday, January 17, 2025, at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Chadron with Pastor Travis Sherman officiating. A private family inurnment will take place at Chimney Rock Cemetery in Bayard, Nebraska. It is respectfully requested that in lieu of any flowers, memorials in Harold’s honor may be made to his family to be designated at a later time. Online condolences may be made by viewing Harold’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Harold was born December 13, 1948, to parents Louise M. (Hoden) Krueger and Harold L. Krueger, Sr. in Omaha, Nebraska. Born the youngest sibling of Sandra K. (Krueger) Lien and Robert L. Krueger. Harold graduated from Omaha South High School. While in school, Harold was active in FFA and 4-H clubs where he fostered his love of animals and their care.
After high-school, Harold joined the Army and was sent to Vietnam working as a veterinary specialist. He was honorably discharged in February 1969. Returning to Omaha from the war, Harold became a rodeo fan and bull rider. At this time, he also landed his first job in healthcare.
Soon after, he met and married Karen S. (Hildebrandt) Krueger on May 25, 1974. Karen was from a large family and Harold found much joy and meaningful relationships with his numerous sisters & brother in-laws. Pursuing an interest in the healthcare industry, Harold attended the University of Nebraska- Omaha, earning his MBA & MHA. Karen and Harold built their family of three daughters and after moving around a bit found there forever home in Chadron, Nebraska. Harold and Karen had a long and happy marriage of 46 years until her passing in September of 2020.
Harold had a successful career providing superior healthcare leadership, vision & advocacy to rural Nebraska. He has many professional accomplishments that included more than 40 years in Health Care Management, this is the short list; served as Chief Executive Officer, Chadron Community Hospital and Health Services. Vice President of the NALA Board, President of the NALA Western District. Member of the Board of the Nebraska Hospital Association serving as President and serving on the AHA Region 6 Policy Board. Past Chairperson District III, Hospital Association. Founder, Past President, and Vice President of the Rural Health Care Association, recognized by the National Rural Health Association in 2005 as the “Outstanding Rural Health Organization” in the Nation. Received an $18 Million dollar FCC Grant to install Fiber Optic High Speed cable to the eight (8) Critical Access Hospitals and (1) one Tertiary Care Facility in the Panhandle of Nebraska. President and Chairman of the Board of Mountain Plains Health Consortium. Chairman of the Board of Health Education Development Systems. President, Nebraska Northwest Development Corporation. President, Chairperson of the Board, Chadron Housing Corporation. Member numerous community Boards and foundations. Creating CSC’s student clinic in 2006. 2017 NHPCA State Impact Award winner, the association’s highest honor for his exceptional contributions the Nebraska’s hospice community.
Harold had many passions and hobbies. A born outdoorsman, He was an avid duck and waterfowl hunter and was a significant benefactor of Ducks Unlimited. He was an accomplished chef and grill master. Harold loved cooking and entertaining his friends and family. He was interested in the historical fur traders, buck-skinner reenactments, building guns, carving decoys, gardening, word working, golfing, wine connoisseurship, reading, documentaries, education, community volunteering, and taking his pick-up truck for long country drives.
Harold is survived by daughters Jennifer (Michael) Britten, Sharon (Cody) Bridgman and Ellen Krueger, his dearly loved grandchildren Jack, Lauren, Henry, & Charlie Britten and Ty & Oakley Bridgman, and his faithful Labrador Retriever, Sissy.
Harold will be remembered for his warm heart, generous spirit, bigger than life stories and sense of humor. We cannot imagine a world without Harold. He was larger than life. He always made his daughters & wife feel loved, safe, and protected. It is with pride that we have been a witness to his remarkable life and achievements.