Joel Richard Krogen, 56, of Batesville died July 26, 2021.
He was born March 25, 1965, in Worland, Wyoming to Richard Arne Krogen and Lorna Mae (Neumann) Krogen.
Joel was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and worked 16 years as a pastor, serving a dual parish at Hope Lutheran Church in Batesville and at Zion Lutheran Church in Waldenburg. He graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1983 and then from the University of Minnesota, with a Masters of Divinity from Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Above all, his God and family meant everything to him and he served faithfully in everything he did. He enjoyed reading, writing, and traveling. With Joel, what you saw was what you got.
Survivors include his wife, Veronica (Arrington) Krogen of the home; two sons, Tim Krogen of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, and Matt Krogen of Rapid City, South Dakota; one daughter, Laura Steinbacher (Joel) of Ft. Wayne, Indiana; two sisters, Sue Olson of Blaine, Minnesota, and Sharyn Ham (Rob) of Powell, Ohio; four nieces, Kara and Krista Olson and Madison and Jaelyn Ham, and one nephew, Gunner Olson (Lindsey).
He is preceded in death by his parents and one infant brother.
Funeral services will be Saturday, July 31, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Hope Lutheran Church with Pastor Kevin McReynolds officiating. Burial will be Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, at the State Veteran Cemetery in North Little Rock at 9:00 a.m.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Concordia Theological Seminary, 6600 N Clinton St, Fort Wayne, IN 46825, or to Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256, or to K9s for Warriors, 114 Camp K9 Road, Ponte Vedra, Florida 32081, or to a veteran’s organization of your choice.
