Goodwill lost a longtime loyal customer on October 5, 2017. Orval Albert (Archie) Krueger passed on after a battle with multiple illnesses. He would have told you he died from cellular suffocation. Leukemia was a suspect but not identified. “If I have it, I have it. I don’t even want to know. I’m over 80 years old. There is no need for poking, prodding, and testing.”
Arch was known for not holding back and had a knack for telling it like he sees it. A stickler for truth and brutally honest. He retired from teaching after 31 years, 29 of those at the Shawano-Gresham School District by submitting quite the resignation letter in November of 1989.
He coached football, basketball, track, as well as his favorite, girl’s gymnastics, eventually becoming the Head Coach. He played all of those sports in high school, except gymnastics, which he admittedly knew very little about. He did love his girls though. Of course he had his favorites, and did his best to keep them all safe.
Arch taught High School Physical Education, specializing in Badminton, Biology and Health Class which created fond memories and left lasting impressions upon many. He received his BS at Valparaiso where he lettered in Track by throwing the javelin because no one else wanted to. He earned his Master’s Degree from Iowa University. He spent four years in the Navy and served on the same ship as his brother Will, living together at multiple times during both their service years and into college.
Orval married Carol Jean Zeitler, his high school sweetheart of 65 years. They went on to have five children, Park (Parky), Korb (Doffy), Nick (Nickademis), Tim (Zig), and Jay (Jayberdet). All but Park moved back to Shawano later on in their lives with their families, mainly just to irritate him some more.
He played an important role in the lives of his grandchildren; Bryce, Jakeb, Christian, Brandon, Gabriela, and Chloe. Again, he loved his girls, Papa’s two little girls, and his daughters-in-law, Rhonda and Suzie. He was also recently blessed with a newborn great grandchild, Landen.
Archie may have been misunderstood by some. He did not get out much after retirement, mainly because he didn’t want to. In the summertime there would be sightings of him on his moped heading to either the dollar stores or Goodwill. This is where he shopped to find items for his Creations which kept him busy and allowed him an out at any time by claiming he was going to work.
He entered into Hospice care with his humor intact for a few weeks prior to his journey’s end. He believed Hospice to be his best option and valued the program and all of those who cared for him. He proudly made sure that each Hospice Nurse, CNA, and Social Worker left his home with one of his Creations.
At his request, a Celebration of Life gathering will take place at The Shawano County Park Pavilion, Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. with full military honors at 3:00 p.m. Archie’s main request was that his Creations become memories of him and find new homes with the special people he knew and loved. We’ve had countless parties at his home over the years, none of which he has ever given us permission, this will be a special day indeed.
