A BOATING FAMIILY

PHOTOS PROVIDED A Life-Changing Vacation

First visit to the Lake in the 70s leads to a lifetime of memories.

Dave and Jane Kruger have owned many boats throughout the 45 years they’ve been coming to Lake of the Ozarks as a couple. Like many who visit, boating is a favorite pastime.

“We have enjoyed every boat and enjoy all the improved technology leading to our current boats, a Sea Ray 400 SLX and Nautique,” Dave said. “The 400 has allowed us to entertain many friends and family while the children love the open air of the bow rider.”

The Krugers have been the owners of a Martinique, Cobalt, Formula, and corvette boat, which led to an association with Chad

Crouch of MarineMax. Over the span of 25 years they’ve owned the 370, 410, 460, and 540 Sea Ray Sundancer cruisers.

“Boating at Lake of the Ozarks has lead to meeting many new friends, and many interesting and unique people,” Dave said. “We love watching all the different boats on the Lake, and visiting new and old restaurants with all the entertainment they provide. The Lake is so big that the adventures on LOTO are endless.”

Dave met Jane in June 1976. Two months later she invited him to Lake of the Ozarks with family and friends. Jane has been visiting the Lake since she was 8 years old.

“It was a life-changing vacation for me and we have been coming to the Lake ever since,” Dave said.

They purchased their first condominium at Kapilana Resort in 1984. After 18 years, they moved to a condo at Cape Royals and built a home in 2017. Their home-away-from-home lead to many long weekends at the Lake with family and friends.

Dave graduated from the University of Illinois in 1978 with a degree in veterinary medicine. He owned and practiced in Normal, Ill. at the Kruger Animal Hospital for 35 years. Jane was the business manager for the animal hospital.

The couple lives in Bloomington, Ill. Now that Dave is retired, they spend their entire summer at the Lake and always have a full house.

SPEED AND LUXURY SHOWROOM

3401 Bagnell Dam Blvd, Lake Ozark

(573) 345-2817 BIG THUNDER MARINE FAMILY BOATING CENTER

3534 Osage Beach Parkway Osage Beach

(573) 345-2683

BIG THUNDER AT GLENCOVE MARINA Sales, Service, Parts, Rentals, Gas Dock & Sea Store 3MM or 147 Glencove Blvd Lake Ozark (573) 245-1228

BIG THUNDER AT GRAND GLAIZE

Sales, Rentals, Gas Dock & Sea Store 19 MM or 5011 Lakeport Drive Osage Beach

(573) 363-4828 www.bigthundermarine.com

Say yes to an Outdoor Kitchen

RAGANCABINETS

573.234.6830 • ragancabinets.com

“We have been fortunate to introduce and entertain literally hundreds of family and friends to LOTO which we have enjoyed,” Dave said.

Their son Chad and his wife Keili come to the Lake most weekends during the summer — with their two kids in tow. Their daughter Denise and her husband Mike live in Denver, Colo. so trips to the Lake are less frequent. The couple, along with their three children, will visit during the summer for an extended length of time.

Just like many families, much of the weekend is spent on board a boat. Currently they own a 2019 400 SLX Sea Ray and a 2020 Nautique.

“We enjoy going to restaurants on the water, coving out with friends and meeting new boating enthusiasts,” Dave said. “We also enjoy attending all the boating events on the Lake including special events sponsored by MarineMax. As our family has grown with the grandchildren we also like to paddle board, fish, swim, tube, wake surf, and jet ski.”