Marguerite Krueger Brunner, age 97, died April 16, 2022. Marguerite (who preferred to be called Magee) was the beloved wife of 50 years to Donald E. Krueger, (deceased) and also wife of Raymond V. Brunner for 23 years (deceased). Loving mother of Jeri Shoemaker (Larry), June Reed, John Krueger (Detra) and Jill Wagner (Raymond). Cherished grandmother of Sheri Shoemaker, Laura Boyer, Anne Wright, Aaron Reed, Brandi Bellante, Ray, Todd, and Brandon Wagner, and Meredith Wagner Miller, great-grandmother to 19 and a favorite, fun-loving aunt to many.
Marguerite grew up in California but while living in Walla Walla, Washington working on an army air corps base, she met Donald E. Krueger. After their courtship they married and moved to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. She gave birth to four children from 1945-1948. Although she did not grow up with a loving mom, she was determined to be a great one and she was. Even in the difficult experience of the family of six living in an Airstream trailer while building their own home at 8116 Mentor Avenue, she was a great mom. She was supportive throughout raising the kids, many years being a homeroom mother. A wonderful thing she would say to a child who had done something stupid or childish was, “That’s OK, you had no way of knowing.” Sweet words to alleviate a child’s angst.
She was the baker of mounds of yummy cookies. Her house was a haven for all the friends of her children – many meals had “bonus sons and daughters” around the table.
She was an avid volunteer, serving in many capacities for the betterment of the community and ending up as president of many associations. A few among them were the Mentor Women’s Club, the Lake-Geauga Insurance Association (only one of two women at that time to have held such high office,) Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce, and Lake County Visitors Bureau. She held high office in the Quota Club of Lake County and some claimed she was one of the most successful Presidents of the Mentor Republican Women’s Club. She also served on the Board of Trustees for Leadership Lake County. She was an activist in the Mentor annexation campaign.
She was honored to be the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the year in 1991.
Along with Donald, she was one of the original organizers of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and served as its first Sunday School Superintendent.
She worked with Donald in his insurance agency. She was the first woman appointed to the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and eventually became the Executive Director of the Chamber. It was as Director that she began the festival that was originally known as “It’s Better in Mentor.” She was an idea person who knew how to delegate to others who were capable of bringing her ideas to fruition.
Although she received many accolades for her civic contributions, it was time spent with family that brought her the most joy. She loved playing cards, dominos, and Rummikub. She delighted in throwing parties – she really was “the hostess with the mostess.” She was a great cook who was often heard whistling as she prepared meals.
A visit from her kids, grandkids, or great grandkids always brightened her day. She loved nature and had a bird feeder that attracted cardinals often – it wasn’t unusual to hear her talking to a “pretty boy” at her open kitchen window. She loved taking walks at the Holden Arboretum and going on car rides. In the old days those rides eventually ended at Isley’s on Chardon square.
She continued her volunteering when she moved to Breckenridge Village by serving on the Welcoming Committee. She began painting in her late 80s and had her paintings displayed at the Willoughby Fine Arts Center.
She was a hard worker at her job and every volunteer position she held. She had a zest for life, she was quick to laugh, fun to be around, caring, and deeply loved by her friends and family. She was a great inspiration to all who knew her.
A private family funeral will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her honor to your favorite charity.
The family wishes to thank her Visiting Angels and the Hospice workers who gave her such wonderful, loving care.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Jeff Monreal Funeral Home, 1000 Mentor Ave., Painesville.
