OREGON - Royce E. Kreul, age 82, a 53-year resident of Oregon, Wis., died of congestive heart failure on February 26, 2025.

Royce was born on November 18, 1942, in Fennimore, Wis., to Leonard and Wilma Kreul. He was baptized and confirmed in St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Fennimore. He attended Fennimore Public schools participating in football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a Wisconsin State Journal newspaper carrier for many years. In 1965, Royce graduated with a B.A. degree in Science from Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa. He received his M.S. degree from Kansas State College, Pittsburg, Kan., in 1972. In August of 1966 he married Karen Gast whom he met at Wartburg College. They became the parents of two children, Edward and Laryssa.

Royce began his teaching career in DeWitt, Iowa in 1966. He continued his teaching career in Oregon, Wis., in 1971 until his retirement in 2001. He served as golf coach, supervisor of home high school sporting events, and was a long-time scorekeeper for home basketball games. He umpired high school baseball games for many years. He was the first to teach biotechnology at Oregon High School. He also worked part-time as a water chemist and customer service representative at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene in Madison, Wis., from 1973 until 2004.

He served on Oregon's long-range Planning Board and Oregon's Park Board and volunteered as an RSVP driver for the Oregon Area Senior Center.

Royce was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan who believed "if it took forever." His dream came true in October of 2016 when the Chicago Cubs won the World Series. His wife and children were also Cubs fans, and they attended many games as a family. He was also a fan of the Wisconsin Badgers and Green Bay Packers.

Royce was a long-time member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Oregon, Wis. He served as an usher, served on Church Council, Finance and Call Teams. He was on the Education Team, an Endowment Board member, Dart ball member, Offering Analyst, helped assemble the Church Newsletter, and he was a lefse baker. He was a charter member of St. John's Chime Choir since its inception in 1985, retiring from playing chimes in 2019. In 2011 he became a member of the University of Wisconsin's Animal Care and Use Team and served for three years.

Royce is survived by his wife of 58 years, Karen; daughter, Laryssa Kreul; sisters, Linda (Philip) Nelson and Betty (Eliseo) Saldivar; and brother, Dale Kreul (Lynn). He was preceded in death by his son, Edward in 1993; his father in 1977; and his mother in 2010.

A memorial service will be held at ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, 625 E. Netherwood St., Oregon, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8, 2025, with a luncheon to follow. A visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday. A private burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.

Thank you to neighbors Dan and Sherryl, and Craig and Cindy for helping Royce and Karen in so many ways over the years. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Oregon

Funeral & Cremation Care

1150 Park St.

(608) 835-3515

Royce Edward Kreul

November 18, 1942 - February 26, 2025

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