Pamela Jean Krueger, of Taylor, passed away Aug. 5, 2022, at the age of 73.Pam was born Jan. 6, 1949, in Galveston, to Dr. Marvin J. Leshikar and Barbara Jean (Rosendahl). She attended Taylor High School, graduating in 1967.
She briefly enrolled at the University of Texas at Austin before relocating to Germany in 1968, with her new husband, Ronald. After her return to Texas, she completed her education in nursing and was accepted to an advanced program, in Fort Worth, to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, ultimately graduating in 1978.
For 35 years, Pam plied her craft with dedication and diligence, both at Johns Community Hospital in Taylor – where she had the unique and enjoyable opportunity to work with her father – and later in Austin and in Temple.
In addition to earning a reputation for diligence and care in the operative suite, Pam was a wonderful wife and mother and deftly juggled professional and family obligations while working long, stressful hours.
A dedicated servant of the Lord as well, she enjoyed her daily devotionals and associated Bible study (often conducted to the soulful sounds of Elvis or Aretha Franklin) and was a lifelong member of the Taylor Brethren Church. One could not leave her presence without receiving a prayer of protection and guidance, either audible or silent.
Although her life was spent largely caring for others, Pam had a special and unique love for animals. Her ability to hear the sound of a kitten in need was unmatched, and she was never too tired to stop and feed a starving stray in a lonely parking lot or provide a comforting touch. Without expectation of recognition or reimbursement, she would transport strays to the vet to be
spayed or neutered at her own expense before either keeping them or returning them to their feral homes. Her heart was full of love for the creatures with whom we share this planet, and she did more than most to ease the suffering of animals in need.
Pam was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Michael.
She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Ronald; her three sisters, Peggy Leshikar-Denton and husband Dennis, Nina Marek and husband Edwin and Johanna Hill and husband Reggie; her two children, Jeffery and wife Jo Ellen (Cottey) and Jennifer Doll and husband Christian; and six grandchildren, Jourdan and Ryan Krueger, Jackson, Connor, Jace and Cameron Doll. Innumerable beloved four-legged “extended family members” complete the list.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to the Reverend James Hejl for visits and prayers, including a spiritually powerful recent Communion; the clinical and support staff at Avalon Memory Care Center in Cedar Park, Texas, the caretakers of Hospice Austin and devoted, special friends Deb Mikulencak, Pat Daffin, and Sandra Kruse.
A visitation was held Sunday, Aug. 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Providence Funeral Home. A celebration and honor of Pam’s life was held Monday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. at the Providence Funeral Home Chapel in Taylor, followed by a luncheon at the Taylor Brethren Church Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to one of a variety of choices, in memory of Pamela J. Krueger: the Marvin J. Leshikar, M.D. Scholarship Fund, c/o Taylor Independent School District, 3101 North Main Street, Suite 104, Taylor, TX 76574; the Brain Support Network, P.O. Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA 94026; the Taylor Brethren Church, 710 Sloan Street, Taylor, TX 76574; or, of course, the SPCA, 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas, TX 75212.
