Celebrating Legacy
The Legacy Family: Klemp & Krueger Klemp and Krueger have become household names at Concordia, with multiple generations of students attending the university. Recently, these legacy families have merged into one through a uniquely heartwarming union.
They say their children were accepting, but understandably curious, having not met their step-parent-to-be. Phil Klemp, BA ‘91 told Bob, “I’m so happy to meet you because we thought she might marry a biker guy.”
In May 2019, the Krueger family patriarch, Rev. Robert Krueger, HS ‘63, AA ‘65, married the Klemp’s matriarch, Katherine Klemp, and two legacy families became one. Both widowed, Bob and Katherine had crossed paths throughout their lives without ever realizing.
Sarah (Klemp) Berwald, BA ‘01, MA ‘07 remembers getting the call from her mother. She says, “I immediately suggested that she look at having the wedding at CSP since it is and has been a home to both our families.”
They officially met at a district convention that Bob attended with a mutual friend, Paul Graff. Months later, Katherine ran into Paul and his wife, Marilyn, and they asked what her plans were for the winter. Paul suggested she come with them to Florida. Bob would also be going for the season and Katherine was excited to hear that he hosted a Bible study. Katherine followed Bob and his son down to Florida and Bob eventually hopped cars so Katherine wouldn’t have to drive down alone. Through this road trip, their relationship began. Upon arrival, they found themselves united once again in the same complex. “He was in 204 and I was in 404,” Katherine shares, “so, we’d be up and down the staircase and it ended up that we spent a lot of time together those two months.” She reminisces fondly, saying, “I mean, how would you ever have that kind of time to get to know somebody? By the time we were heading home, we knew we wanted to get married.”
Come May, Katherine and Bob shared vows at Concordia’s Graebner Memorial Chapel. Along their journey, they have realized just how much they have in common and how many mutual connections they share, from Concordia to conferences. They came to the conclusion that their sons, Rob and Matthew, had likely battled in a high school wrestling match decades prior, while Katherine's daughter, Anna, BA ‘98 and Bob’s son, Jon, BA ‘98 had been classmates at Concordia. Between Bob and Katherine, they have eleven children, thirty-five grandchildren, and one great grandchild. The couple jokes about adding a big porch to their house just to fit the extensive family they now share, many of whom are CSP alumni or currently attend the university. When asked why they think so many of their kids decided to attend Concordia, Katherine shares, “It just felt like home and their dad loved it.”
Eugene Klemp, ALJC ‘27, HS ’25 (deceased)
Rev. Robert “Bob” Krueger, HS ‘63, AA ’65 married Linda Krueger (deceased) remarried Katherine (Klemp) Krueger
Dr. Robert Krueger, CSP Faculty married Rachel Krueger, CSP Faculty
Rev. Paul Klemp, HS ‘57, AA ’59 (deceased) married Katherine (Klemp) Krueger
Philip Klemp, BA ‘91 married Alyssa (Chase) Cloeter, BA ‘92
Peter Klemp, BA ‘92 married Gail (Newman) Klemp, BA ‘90
Emily Klemp, ‘23
Noah Klemp, ‘21
Jonathan “Jack” Krueger, ‘22
Anna Krueger, ‘24
Jonathan Krueger, BA ‘98 married Michelle Krueger
Philip Klemp, BA ‘91 remarried Jeannie Miller
Stephen Klemp, ‘93
Alyssa (Chase) Cloeter, BA ‘92 remarried Robert Cloeter, BA ‘77
Matthew Klemp married Jenny (Westling) Klemp, PSEO ‘95
*If you’re a part of the Klemp or Krueger family legacy and not listed here, let us know and we’ll add you! If you’re a member of a different legacy family, visit one.csp.edu/legacyform to give us your legacy information.
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Anna (Klemp) Martin, BA ‘98 married Jeff Martin Sarah (Klemp) Berwald, BA ‘01, MA ’07 married Brian Berwald, BBA ‘03
FALL/WINTER 2020 • CONCO RDIA ST. PAUL MAGAZINE
