Dennis Leon Krueger Sr.

Dennis Leon Krueger, Sr., 69, of Somerville, peacefully passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones, Candy and DL, son-in-law Clay, and nephew Jeremy, after a long year struggle with aspiration pneumonia. Funeral Services are scheduled at Strickland Funeral Home in Somerville, on Thursday, April 17, 2025, at 10 am with visitation starting at 9 am. Following the service, burial will take place at Holy Rosary Catholic Church Cemetery in Frenstat.

Born on November 3, 1955, to Margaret Carrie (Knesek) and Leon Adolf Krueger, Dennis was known for bringing excitement to those around him, including his brothers Gene and Jeff, sister Janice, and the Birch Community. If you ask anyone, from his cousins Kenneth, Lisa and Tim to the regulars at the local Deanville beer joints, they will undoubtedly recount tales of the mischief Dennis often found himself in.

It was on the first day of his junior year at Somerville High School, during a bus ride, that he met his soulmate and future wife, Debbie (Dubcak). They tied the knot on June 14, 1975, and enjoyed 40 years together until her passing on September 12, 2015.

Dennis spent 21 years working at the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railway Tie Treatment Plant before retiring. During this time, he and Debbie welcomed three children: Donnie, Candy, and DL.

In 1990, he embraced sobriety, a choice that proved to be one of the best he ever made. During the early '90s, he also established K4 Cattle Co. Even now, if you visit any auction barn within a 500-mile radius of Burleson County and mention the name 'DK,' someone nearby is bound to share a story about his unconventional and not so safe loading and unloading skills.

A cancer survivor, Dennis faced radiation and chemotherapy with surprising strength. His journey turned into an unexpected blessing, as he offered support and encouragement to his son-in-law, Clay, during his own fight against cancer.

A lover of both cattle and football, Dennis could often be found watching the RFD Channel or The Weather Channel, which drove his children crazy. However, he was the go-to person for local weather updates or advice on whether it was a good week to take calves to the auction barn. His Sunday cattle feedings were scheduled around the Dallas Cowboy’s football games. Regardless of the game's outcome, he would always say, “How 'bout them boys!".

Springtime held special meaning for Dennis in three ways: he would pray for spring rains to nourish the hay and grass for his cows, often calling his nephew Jeremy to check on hay availability; he looked forward to watching Braxton and Jace start their fair projects, sharing his ‘old school’ wisdom, even if DL was reluctant to listen; and it marked the arrival of the NFL Draft, during which he would take notes and call Braxton to discuss the selections, eagerly hoping for the Cowboys to secure top picks.

Dennis was never one to shy away from meeting new people. He would strike up conversations with just about everyone he met. Dennis had a natural charm that made others feel comfortable. His curiosity about people's stories was genuine, and he had a knack for finding something common with them, even with those who seemed completely different from him. This openness filled his life with a variety of friendships and taught him lessons about the highs and lows of life, reminding him that whenever he felt down and troubled, there was always someone facing even greater struggles. He would do anything for anyone, as long as you didn’t mind waiting 2 hours for him to get ready first. His smile and the amusing excuses he shared about who or what caused him to be late, more than made up for the wait.

He had many names: son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, and uncle; however, the name he cherished the most was POPO.

Preceded in death by his wife, Deborah Ann Krueger, son, Don Anthony, father and mother, Leon and Margaret Krueger, mother-in-law, Helen Becvar Dubcak Cannon, fathers-in-law, Anton Dubcak, Jr, and Donald Cannon, brothers, Gene Monroe Krueger and Jeffry Allen Krueger, sister, Janice Lynn Krueger Kotch, brother-in-law, Ronald Price, and nephew, Thomas Eugene Krueger.

Survived by daughter, Candy and husband Clay Fritcher, son, DL Krueger, grandsons, Braxton Fritcher and Jace Krueger, sisters-in-law, Jackie Krueger and Sharon Dubcak Price, brother in law, Jim Kotch, nieces and nephews, Jeremy Krueger, (Sydney, Maisyn, Hestyn, Kolter) Jimmy Kotch, (Marley, Delaney, Tealey), Jared Kotch, (Mollie, Kamden, Knyley) Jeannie Kotch Goss, (Brian, Caroline), and Rebekah Krueger Luza, (Jeff and Justin) one amazing and special Aunt Grace Knesek, and who his daughter called ‘Dennis’ 3 Musketeers’, Champ Bohacek (cousin), David Davis (lifetime friend) and JW Sebesta (his right hand cattle partner and best friend).

Dennis held dear the memories he shared with Shannon Pugh, Floyd Fritcher, Hayley Ramon, and Valerie and Jacob Moline. Thank you for taking the time to know and love Dennis.

Pallbearers are Jim Kotch, Jimmy Kotch, Jared Kotch, Tim Todish, Landon Todish, and Shannon Pugh.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to Brenham Nursing and Rehab, as well as Brazos Valley Hospice, for their compassionate care provided to Dennis throughout his illness over the past year.