Patricia "Patti" Kruckenberg

We regrettably announce the passing of Patricia Lynn Kruckenberg, 72, of Mandan.  Patti was surrounded by her family and close friends when she passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024.   

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 20, 2024, at First Lutheran Church, Mandan, with Rev. Phil Leer officiating.  Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 PM on Friday, January 19, 2024, at Weigel Funeral Home, Mandan, with a Prayer Service at 7 PM.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Patti was born March 31, 1951, to Frank and Dorothy (Ressler) Hellman.  Raised and educated in Mandan, she graduated from Mandan High School in 1969.  In 1972, she married Wayne Kruckenberg and they had one daughter, Kathy.  Patti was extremely proud of their daughter and her accomplishment, including graduating from dental school.  Patti worked all of her life, mainly as a secretary and as a lighting consultant.  She was generous and loving and would do anything for her family or friends.  Patti liked spending time at Strawberry Lake with her family, was always up for playing bingo, and she loved Elvis.  Patti was especially close to her two sisters, Mary and Pudge, and the three of them were known as “The Queens” and enjoyed taking vacations together. 

Patti was one of the strongest women to ever walk this earth.  She battled cancer for 25 years and never complained.  She was a loving and dedicated mother, grandma, and wife.     

Blessed to have shared in her life is her husband of 51 years, Wayne Kruckenberg, Mandan; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy (Mike) Santjer, Rugby, ND; two granddaughters, Marly and Avery, who she loved with all her heart; six siblings, Mary (Tom) Palanuk, Mandan, Pudge (Craig) Sjoberg, Mandan, Tom (Karla) Hellman, Mandan, Mike (Robin) Hellman, Grand Forks, ND, Dan Hellman, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Bill Hellman (Karen Iglehart), Velva, ND; seven nieces and nephews, Josie (Wayne) Keeler, Tommy Palanuk, Taylor (Atlanta) Hellman, Janaye (Evan) St. Michel, Jace (Abby) Hellman, Jesse (Kayla) Sjoberg, and Kaylie Kahl; eight great nieces and nephews, Addison and Lincoln Sjoberg, Charlotte and Allyce St. Michel, Lennox Hellman, Khloe and Nevaeh Kahl, and Edison Hellman; all of whom she loved very much; as well as countless friends. 

Patti was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Tim.  She will be dearly missed and is now among the angels in Heaven.  

“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.”

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Central Dakota Humane Society.