A photo of Jeff Monreal, owner and operator of Jeff Monreal Funeral Homes posing in a black suit with no background

Painesville Location

1000 Mentor Avenue Painesville, Ohio 44077

Willoughby Location

38001 Euclid Avenue Willoughby, Ohio 44094

Mentor Location

6330 Center Street Mentor, Ohio 44060

Marguerite Krueger Brunner

05/29/1924 — 04/16/2022

A close-up photo of Marguerite Krueger Brunner smiling for the camera

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.

Share Memories or Express Condolences

Reader interactions

11 Replies to “Marguerite Krueger Brunner”

  1. Karen Kaiser Vukcevic April 18, 2022 at 10:15 pm

    I am proud to have been a friend of your mother. Our families shared many good memories. Rest In Peace Marguerite❤

    Reply

  2. She was the epitome of what a great mom should be. Besides taking wonderful care of her own four children, her home was a welcome place for all of their friends. I was blessed to be one of them. Guests were considered to be temporary family. She was Mentor’s unofficial Mom.

    Besides her mom role, she was also the First Lady of Mentor. She headed literally hundreds of civic organizations and events, and juggled many of them at the same time.

    And yet, she was never too busy to stop and talk with anyone who needed help, direction, or just a kind word. It was never about HER or her position. It was always about her family and the people of Mentor.

    But most of all, I remember that she always looked like she had just left a salon. Every hair in her upswept hairdo was always in place, her wardrobe was always stylish, and heads would always turn when she entered a room. She always seemed oblivious to the attention and admiration.

    I always thought that my best friend, Jill, was very lucky to have Don and Marguerite Krueger as her parents. They were an example of the ideal American family.

    May God comfort Jeri, June, John, and Jill, and their families, in their sorrow. Take comfort in a life well lived.

    Reply

  3. June, Ann & Aaron, my condolences on the loss of your mother and grandmother. You were blessed to have her for so many years.

    Reply

  4. Linda N. Litaker April 19, 2022 at 2:52 am

    I’m soooo sorry to hear about the loss of your mother Jill. I’ll be praying for you and your family during this difficult time.

    Reply

  5. Jilly”Bean” and Family, I am so sorry for your loss but know that you will see her again. She sounds like a wonderful mother with attributes beyond compare; somewhat like her daughter that I love, JIlly”Bean”.

    Reply

  6. Carol Nadeau and Michael Claypool April 19, 2022 at 11:26 pm

    Our Thoughts and Prayers are you and the rest of your family. Your Mom was a very accomplished Lady, you had a fantastic example to follow in your Mom.

    Reply

  7. Marguerite along with her husband Don made Mentor what it is today. Their family and friends I hope will continue their legacy.
    She was a worker and a leader for good, we will miss her.

    Reply

  8. Mike Zivanchev April 20, 2022 at 2:16 pm

    Dear June, Jill, & Family:
    So sorry to learn of Marguerite’s passing. I was very fond of both your Mom & Dad. My sincere sympathy & condolences. I will pray for her.
    God Bless us all, God Bless America
    Mike Zivanchev

    Reply

  9. Dear Jeri , we are so sorry for your loss. Our love and prayers for you and your beautiful family ❤️

    Reply

  10. Shirley Shandle April 23, 2022 at 8:52 pm

    Am offering prayers to all the family of Magee — treasure all your fun memories with her, as do I!! many, many fun times! Blessings! Love & Hugs to all, Shirley

    Reply

  11. The Jones boys and their mother, Betty — now 103 — send along their condolences and best wishes for all your family memories after the loss of Mentor High School’s Class of ’64 Official Den Mother.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Thank you for submitting your comment. Your comment will be reviewed in the next 24 - 48 hours. Once approved, it will be added to the condolences below the obituary.