Kimberly Ann Krueger

Kimberly Ann Krueger October 16,2023 Kimberly A. Krueger passed away quietly the morning of October 16 at the age of 59. Kim was born January 28, 1964 at Mtn. Home Air Force Base, the daughter of Bill and June Krueger. Even though she had Down Syndrome, she was raised just like her brothers and sister, graduated from high school in Lacey, Washington, and worked at various places.

Kim loved being around people and was quite the “social butterfly.” She enjoyed participating in Boise’s Parks and Rec programs and going to camp with others from Community Partnerships, an adult day service for those with developmental disabilities, now known as RISE Services. She was also active in her church, serving as an acolyte at St. Benedict’s Episcopal Church in Lacey, Washington and St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral in Boise.

Kim especially liked being involved in Special Olympics, specifically swimming. While she swam relays, her specialty was the backstroke and freestyle. In 1999, she was on the USA team for the World Special Olympic Games in Raleigh, North Carolina where she won a gold medal in the 50 yard freestyle and a silver in the 50 yard backstroke, along with other relay medals.

Throughout the years, she traveled with her parents, then later with her sister after her parents passed. Kim particularly had fun traveling in an RV to North Pole, Alaska and soaking in natural hot springs in British Columbia. She simply enjoyed living life.

In the last year and a half of her life, dementia slowly took over, and she moved into memory care at Cornerstone Memory Care and later into hospice with Keystone Hospice. While she may not have been able to verbally express herself well, Kim was known for giving the best hugs, always with a smile. She also knew she was in a warm, safe, loving environment. The staff at Cornerstone, from the caregivers to the administrative staff to the nurses, were exceptional, so kind in working with her, as was the medical staff from Keystone.

Kim was preceded in death by her parents, June and Bill Krueger, and is survived by her sister, Candice Krueger, her brothers Craig Krueger (Casey Blumenthal) and Scott (Brenda) as well as her niece Katherine Lambert (Daryl) and nephew Scott (Charlotte Dugoni). Kim will be buried along side her parents in the Idaho State Veterans Cemetery.

Though there will not be a funeral, all arrangements have been conducted by Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel. Any donations in her name can go to the Idaho Special Olympics program.