Krueger was a key community leader for decades
Jenny Krueger, right, Plum Creek Marketing Inc.’s manager for traffic and freight services, presents Lori Heatherington, executive director with the Humane Society of Northwest Montana, with a $5,000 grant award for sound-proofing dog kennels in this file photo from 2012.
If there ever was a go-getter, it was Jenny Krueger. She organized Columbia Falls parades for years. Handed out “big checks” to charities. Played in community concerts. With her bright red hair and infectious smile, she was always willing to help.
Krueger, 62, died Oct. 4 after a long battle with cancer, friend Connie McCubbins said.
Krueger grew up in Columbia Falls and worked professionally for years in the timber industry after studying statistics at Montana State University.
In 1985 she joined with other community leaders to start “Coming Alive in ’85” a community effort to spruce up the town and renew community pride. The flower garden near the Hungry Horse News, still maintained by Peggy Newman, was part of that effort.
Krueger was instrumental for years in organizing the Night of Lights and Heritage Days parades. She also served on the Columbia Falls city council from 1993-1999.
“She was very down to Earth, very fun and her laugh was contagious,” McCubbins recalled.
“She loved doing the parades. Columbia Falls definitely lost a go-getter with Jenny.”
McCubbins and Krueger were longtime friends and often worked on community projects together.
Krueger played flute and piccolo with both the Columbia Falls High School band and Flathead Valley Community Band, continuing for many years with the Community Band, where she was once featured in the Hungry Horse News, smiling after a solo.
Krueger was also very active with the PEO Sisterhood, a philanthropic organization that raises money to fund women’s education. Krueger was initiated into her local chapter of PEO in 1979 and served the organization for 44 years, including a seven-year term as a state officer.
A celebration of Krueger’s life is at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4 at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 2048 Conn Road, Columbia Falls. A reception and inurnment to follow at adjacent cemetery.