Ann Marie Krueger was born on May 10, 1967 to Paul and Alvina (Franzen) Krueger.  She was baptized at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Gilead on June 4, 1967 by Pastor Louis Shim and her baptismal sponsors were her oldest siblings Eileen Asche, Dean Krueger and Carol Krueger. Ann was confirmed in her Christian faith at St. Paul’s on April 26, 1981 by Pastor Elliot Anderson.  On December 21, 2020, Ann passed away at her home surrounded by her family. 

Ann attended Gilead Grade School and graduated from Fairbury High School in 1985.  She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education and her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.  Ann was a Special Education teacher at Millard South High School from 1991 to 2001.  She then taught at Beatrice High School for one year.  In 2002, Ann began teaching Special Education at Fairbury High School and remained there for the next 18 years.  Her last day in the classroom was December 10, 2020.

Ann was a strong advocate for her students and willing to go the extra mile to help them be successful.  She helped countless students reach their goal of graduation through her tireless efforts to support them.  Ann served on school improvement committees and mentored numerous new teachers.  This past semester was special as Ann was able to enjoy being a co-worker with her sister Sharon when Sharon joined the Fairbury Special Education Department.

On June 30, 2001, Ann married Travis Wiegert at St. Paul’s. They began their married life on a farmstead north of Fairbury.  In 2006, Travis and Ann moved this house several miles to its present site, a native grass area with a pond.  The house was beautifully refinished within a few years but landscaping the property and adding buildings was an ongoing process.

Ann had various interests and enjoyed being around animals. Growing up, she spent many hours riding her horse, Sugar, and as a child, she had many cats. They were preferred over dolls and always had names.  The current cats are Riggs, Bear, Bentley and Auggie.  Travis and Ann had two dogs, first Sage, then Gracie.  Recently, they repaired a brooder house so they could have a small flock of chickens.  Gardening and landscaping her yard kept Ann busy during the summer.  Ann favored oak furniture and visited antique stores so she and Travis could furnish their home with these treasures.  She enjoyed traveling with family members and could bake cinnamon rolls and apple cake like her mother.

Ann regularly attended bible study at King of Kings church in Hebron and in recent years, Travis and Ann attended worship services there.

Ann was a loving wife, a fun sister and aunt, an amazing teacher, co-worker and mentor, and a friend to many.  She will be greatly missed!

Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Alvina Krueger; father-in-law, Harold Wiegert; mother-in-law, Barbara Wiegert Sell, great nephew, Hayden Dean McCoy.  Survivors include her husband, Travis Wiegert; siblings, Eileen (Ray) Asche, Dean (Linda) Krueger, Carol Krueger and Sharon Krueger; nephew, David (Susan) Asche, niece, Diane (Tim) McCoy; great nephews and nieces, Cameron (Sydney) Asche, Marissa Asche, Colton McCoy and Jenna McCoy; sister-in-law, Darcie (Darrin) Bontje and Nicholas and extended family, Mary Wiegert and Bill Sell.

Services will be Monday, December 28, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home.  Closed Casket – no viewing but a book will be available to sign from 1 – 8 on Sunday, December 27th at the Funeral Home.  Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home is in charge of services.  www.gerdesmeyerfh.com