Bennie Krueger, 80, Minot, longtime Kief businessman, passed away Monday, January 20, 2014 at the Trinity Hospital in Minot. His funeral will be held Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 1:00 p. m. at the Liberty Baptist Church in Kief with burial in the Kief Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Bethke-Nelson Funeral Home in Drake.

Bennie Krueger, son of Matt and Sophie (Martin) Krueger, was born February 14, 1933 on the Krueger family farm near Kief where he grew up and attended a nearby country school. He began working with his father on the family farm at an early age.

On July 9, 1953 he entered the United States Army and served his country during the Korean War. Following his honorable discharge on May 8, 1954, Bennie returned to Kief and resumed farming.

In 1956 he purchased the local gas station and, in 1981, added a grocery store to the business. He was married to Dorothy Vought Vetter on April 13, 1971 in Towner. They made their home in Kief where Bennie continued to operate his business until moving to Manor Care in Minot on November 7, 2011. Dorothy passed away April 25, 2011.

Bennie was a member of the Lawrence E. Meidl American Legion Post #270 of Butte and served as the Kief Cemetery sexton for many years. He loved music and in his early days he played guitar and sang as a member of the Dakota Eagles Band.

Bennie is survived by one step-son, Duane Vetter of Cedar Rapids, IA; 2 step-daughters, Donna (Ron) Plesuk of Butte and Nadine Vetter of Washburn; many step-grandchildren; brother, Gust (Jane) Krueger of Minot; and nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; and a brother, Bill.