Phyllis J. Kroeger

Kroeger, Phyllis J. (Rydberg) (Eklund) August 11, 1928 – June 24, 2018 passed away in Madison, WI from congestive heart failure. Phyllis is survived by her son Grant Eklund, Anaheim Hills, CA; granddaughter Dr. Katie (Dr. Stephen) Kilgus (Eleanor), Madison, WI; grandson Todd (Rachel) Eklund (Easton), Anaheim Hills, CA; niece Sally Randall, Omaha, NE; nephew Scott Gordon, Fort Collins, CO; step-sons Dr. R. Michael (Janet) Kroeger, William (Janet) Kroeger, Terry (Jackie) Kroeger all of Omaha, NE; step-grandchildren Scott (Wendi) Kroeger, Amie (Bill) Schellpeper, Tim (Colleen) Kroeger, Sara Kroeger, Matthew Kroeger, Jeffrey Kroeger, Molly Kroeger, Maggie Kroeger, Ellie Kroeger, and Jake Kroeger all of Omaha, NE. Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband Robert W. Kroeger; husband Daryll D. Eklund, Jr.; parents Grant and Mabel Rydberg; and sister Ruth Gordon. Phyllis Jean Rydberg Eklund Kroeger was born August 11th, 1928 in Omaha, NE to Grant and Mabel Rydberg. Phyllis attended Clifton Hill Grade School and Benson High School. As a young girl, Phyllis enjoyed her involvement in the Girls Scouts and Rainbow Girls, as well as taking the street car down to the Union Pacific Station on Saturdays to work with the Red Cross serving donuts to the troops passing through Omaha on their way to World War II. Phyllis graduated with her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Omaha University in 1949. Phyllis married Daryll D. Eklund, Jr. in 1950 and taught for two years at Benson West Elementary School. Their son, Grant Eklund, was born in 1954. In 1965, the Eklund family moved to Elkhorn, NE where they had purchased the Elkhorn Hardware Store. Phyllis taught kindergarten, fourth, and fifth grades in Elkhorn Public Schools for 25 years. Her husband Daryll passed away in 1985. In 1986, Phyllis married Robert W. Kroeger. Bob and Phyllis enjoyed 22 years of marriage before he passed away in 2008. Phyllis was active in many groups including Chi Omega Sorority, Order of the Eastern Star (Luna Chapter), and PEO Chapter FY in Omaha. Family, friends, fellowship, and faith in her Lord were most important to Phyllis. She will be remembered for her sense of humor, love of animals, unconditional friendships, and appreciation of a good happy hour. A memorial service will be held at Reichmuth Funeral Home, 21901 W. Maple Rd., Elkhorn, NE, on Saturday, July 21, 2018. The visitation will take place from 9:00-10:30am, followed by the memorial service at 10:30am. Memorial contributions can be made to the PEO Scholar Awards of Nebraska Chapter FY at https://donations.peointernational.org/peo-donation-psa; or to Orange Lutheran High School, 2222 N. Santiago Road, Orange, CA 92867 at www.lhsoc.org/giving.

Phyllis J. Kroeger

August 11, 1928 - June 24, 2018