Forty & Fabulous
In celebration of Krueger Construction’s 40th Anniversary, Greg and Bonnie Krueger gathered the family, just like they do every day—in the office and on the job site, this time at “The Tenlee” model. For years, all three of their children, Corey, Kimberly, and Kristi, have helped build the family business, spouses included, inviting everyone’s talents to the table. From the first home in 1984 in Western North Dakota to their 40th year in Fargo, Greg and Bonnie have built a legacy of love, starting each new year with new model homes—most named after their nine grandkids, one great grandchild, and three children. For the Kruegers, time flies when they’re growing together.
BY Tracy Nicholson
PHOTOS BY Dan Francis Photography
From left: Krueger Construction’s Team: Tom Peckskamp, Katie Burandt, Corey Krueger, Greg Krueger, Kimberly Krueger-Tehan, Bonnie Krueger, Jimmy Tehan, Kristi Krueger-Roscoe, Karissa Lovell, Brady Schmiess, and Kelsey Beyer. (Not shown, Clayton Roscoe and Erin Krueger.)
MEET THE KRUEGERS
In this family-owned and operated business, everyone happily stacks their well-fitted hats. Kimberly Krueger-Tehan has worked alongside her parents and siblings since 2009, officially as a licensed realtor and director of marketing, sales, and business development; unofficially assisting home design. After Kimberly’s husband, Jimmy Tehan left the aerospace industry, he was recruited to run the Minot operations at the start of the oil boom, then eventually moved to Fargo as project manager, then general manager and licensed realtor with Castle Realty, another branch of the family business. Kristi Krueger-Roscoe is the director of design, also working alongside her husband, Clayton, a Fargo firefighter, who has also been a realtor and project manager for several years. Their brother Corey has taken on the role of vice president at Krueger Construction, where he also oversees warranties.When Bonnie began her retirement 15 years ago, their niece, Kelli Jenkins, stepped into the family business to take on the role of office manager, retiring just last year.
The Krueger family is determined to keep growing, more recently welcoming talent outside the family tree, including project manager Brady Schmiess, interior designer Karissa Lovell, architectural drafter Katie Burandt, warranty coordinator/assistant project manager Tom Peckskamp, and office manager Kelsey Beyer. “When we expanded the team beyond family, we really looked for those hard-working, down-to-earth qualities that my parents instilled in us. Everyone under this roof has the same level of care and quality for the work that we do — they may not be amily, but to us, they certainly feel like family.”
ELEMENTARY SWEETHEARTS
Greg and Bonnie are what we’d refer to as “elementary sweethearts,” both raised in Harvey, ND. “It all started with my dad kissing my mom at the water fountain in first grade,” laughed Kimberly Krueger-Tehan. On June 3rd, 1973, the Kruegers tied the knot, and this year, they celebrate 51 years in marriage... and many more in love. The two who started it all eventually left Harvey and moved to Minot, where Greg worked in real estate for five years prior to building homes. The following five years in Minot were spent building homes together and raising a family, all while helping other families achieve their dream of homeownership.
While they had roots in Minot, one weekend trip to Fargo ultimately changed the course of their life and business. Greg and Bonnie had only planned to visit Fargo to attend a family member’s anniversary party, instead, they ended up inspired to expand.
“While I was in Fargo, I looked around the market and thought, we can compete, so I started offering our trade program in both Fargo and Minot,” said Greg Krueger. “As we got busier and busier in Fargo, it just made sense to move our family here.” Naturally, Bonnie, who spent many years and endless hours running the early operations of the business, was the first to get a namesake model; she and Greg still live in the original floorplan,“The Bonita.”
40 Years & 4 New Models
Each build season, the Kruegers construct new model homes that showcase their family’s signature construction quality and the latest design principles. This year, on their 40th Anniversary, the family launched four new and customizable house plans. Kimberly finally got her first model home, her best friend Jenna got a 2.0 version, and the two newest grandchildren, Tenlee and Wilder, were officially made part of the family business. Krueger’s latest models will be open to tours during the BIA’s Parade of Homes Fall Edition: Sept. 21-23 & 28-30.
THE KIMBERLY
Meet “The Kimberly,” a beautifully designed rambler with a primary suite wing flow and 10- foot ceilings and beams. Their family’s favorite features are the hidden pantry, custom hood detailing with side spice rack integration, and its pond views from six rooms.
PHOTOS BY DIRKES DIGITAL MEDIA
THE TENLEE
“The Tenlee” is a sophisticated two-story, featuring a stunning grid glass-enclosed office/den, ceiling beams, a quartz kitchen shelf, bulletin and chalkboard built-ins, pristine paneling details, and a uniquely angled garage design.
PHOTOS BY JILL OCKHARDT BLAUFUSS
THE JENNA 2.0
“The Jenna 2.0” is a more contemporary remix of Krueger’s classic two-story. Here, their family’s favorite features are the mainfloor primary suite, pocket office, and twostory living and dining rooms. The home also showcases exceptional attention to detail, within custom paneling, pantry doors, and a beautifully designed slat wood hood and fireplace.
PHOTOS BY DAN FRANCIS PHOTOGRAPHY
THE WILDER
The Wilder is a slabon-grade rambler with 10-foot maple ceilings in the living room, a shiplap foyer, barrel vault doorways, and a uniquely modern exterior that overhauls traditional ideals of rambler-style architecture.
PHOTOS BY DIRKES DIGITAL MEDIA
IN-DEMAND DESIGN
“Our parents have always instilled in us how important it is to treat every customer and process the same, no matter the price point or size of the home,” said Kimberly Krueger-Tehan. “We have really strong relationships and friendships with our customers and trade partners, some decades-long. We’re really lucky, with the years we have into this and the volume that we build, we’ve been able to stay consistent with trade partners who bring outstanding workmanship and are willing to work with us, which helps keep costs down and quality high.”
As they’ve continued to grow the team, Kristi and Kimberly have had more time to work on floorplan development and design, making sure they’re ahead of what homeowners want while keeping at the forefront transparent pricing, a consistent build process, and a customer-focused approach. “When my dad was teaching us about floorplan design, he always really emphasized smart floorplan flow, with usable space and good bones that we can build from. As we approach year 41, we still believe that if we just show up, work hard, and do the right thing, it will pay off,” added Kimberly Krueger-Tehan.
“Kristi and Kim are both very good at what they do,” said Greg Krueger. “They’re opposites, but they balance each other out. My idea of design is to hang a buck on the wall. The girls have really built up the design side and helped the business expand. They have made such a big difference in our quality, floorplans, and the size of our homes by putting a lot of time into research and development.”
The two “sister stagers” may not always agree when it comes to design, but the spectacular outcome says otherwise. “The majority of our time is spent at home, so we really want people to love where they live,” added Kristi Krueger-Roscoe. “I have five kids, so I know how important it is that our homes focus on simple and functional flow, with classic design that stays within budget.”
BUILDING, SELLING & TRADING
“The first house we ever built was actually for ourselves, then one for our friends that same year,” said Greg Krueger. “The second year we built five houses, and the third year it was 10 houses. Our specialty was the trade program, taking houses in on trade towards a new build.” Their Krueger Trade Program™ took on the responsibility of selling the trade prior to completion of the new home’s construction, helping relieve the burden of a double move, renting, or paying two mortgages. To this day, Krueger Construction still accepts current, qualifying homes in on trade towards the purchase of a new Krueger-built home.
“I told my kids, the number one rule in our company is ‘work hard, play hard’... just work hard first.”
Most houses would sell on time, but if one didn’t, Krueger would buy the home, fix it up, rent it out, or sell it. Greg and Bonnie saw this program as an opportunity for all three of their teenagers at the time, to get their hands dirty and learn, taking on the hard work of cleaning, painting, staining, debris removal, and renovation tasks. “I told my kids, the number one rule in our company is ‘work hard, play hard’... just work hard first,” laughed Greg Krueger.
“We used to take trailer houses on trade towards building a home,” he added. “As the program grew, I would try to instill in the kids that these homes were equally important — to the person buying the trailer house and the person building the big two-story. We feel it’s important to treat everyone the same, with the same respect and same quality.”
HARD WORK WORTH DOING
While the Krueger kids ventured off to college and into specialized careers, all three returned with a new set of skills to contribute, ultimately deciding that hard work was better together. “My kids and the entire family are what I’m most proud of,” said Greg Krueger. “They have all done so much and brought so many great ideas to this business – we certainly wouldn’t be where we’re at today without them.”
“We saw the long hours and the hard work in those early years, and somehow they still made it to every ballgame and school function,” added Kristi Krueger-Roscoe. “If we got up in the middle of the night, my mom would still be up working, running the business doing dishes, laundry, cleaning, baking cupcakes... really everything and anything to keep it all running smoothly. She really earned her retirement.”
“Our parents set a really high bar in their marriage, in our family, and in their work ethic - showing us how to treat other people,” said Kimberly Krueger-Tehan. “As fun as it is to grow the business, at the heart of it is people; we’re proud of what we do because of the example they set for us.”
Now with 40 years in the rear-view mirror, Greg and Bonnie can’t believe they’ve been building homes this long. These days, Bonnie is retired, and they take time off to travel, but Greg is still part of the day-to-day, insisting on meeting everyone they build homes for. “If I wasn’t working with our kids, I think I probably would have retired much sooner,” said Greg Krueger. “But getting to see the kids every day and work with them, I’ve just never been in a big hurry to leave.”
“I’m really proud of what my parents started, not just with the business but with our family,” said Kristi Krueger-Roscoe. “We all went to college for different things, but all three of us came back because we believe in it. It’s not always easy working with family, but it’s worth it. Everything has worked and continues to work because they’ve built a really solid foundation.”
The Krueger’s grandkids also take great pride in the family business, happily accepting ownership over their namesake model homes and giving their two cents to Grandpa Greg. “About a month ago, my granddaughter Audree pulled me aside and said, ‘Grandpa, we’ve got to spruce up The Audree, we’re not selling enough of those!’”
“My friends ask me why I don’t retire, and I always say, why? I go to work every day with my kids — I have a great time!”
For more information, contact:
Krueger Construction
1133-A Harwood Drive, Fargo
701.239.0015
kruegerbuilt.com
Take a Personal Tour!
Castle Realty
Kimberly Krueger-Tehan, REALTOR
1133-A Harwood Drive, Fargo
701.239.0015
MEET THE BAKER: PAISLEY & DASH BAKE SHOP
While best known locally for her freshly baked, ready-to-eat cupcakes in a jar, Sara Lien of Paisley & Dash is also a crafty cake baker. Located in West Fargo, she creates a tasty variety of custom cakes, cupcakes, and individually packaged desserts that she delivers locally and ships nationwide.
Fun Fact: Before opening her bakery, Sara spent 15 years working as a financial advisor for one of the largest investment firms in the world. In 2020, she swapped out her suit coat for an apron and started an e-commerce bakery out of her home kitchen, paying homage to her beloved Malti-Poo, Paisley, and Maltese, Dash. Today, sweet success has led to a commercial facility as a fully licensed and operating bakery.
To help us celebrate Krueger Construction’s 40th Anniversary, Sara chose rich ruby tones and high-rise, high-contrast design. “I looked to pictures of this Krueger home as my inspiration, going for a more contemporary look to match the flow of the house. For a less traditional design, the cake weaves together a modern black and white checkered wrap that opens at the top and side to a deep red tone and floral accent that ties into the Krueger Construction brand.”
Email: sara@paisleyanddash.com
Follow: facebook.com/paisleyanddash + instagram.com/paisleyanddash
701-866-1901