George H. Krienke (1931-2026)

Beloved local leader George Krienke passed away on May 6. He was 94.

Born in a house in Wausau, Wisc. on August 13, 1931 to Mildred and John, Krienke was the youngest of four mischievous boys. He attended the University of Wisconsin — Stevens Point for two years where he played football and met the first love of his life, Joan Neale. They married while Krienke was stationed in San Diego, serving as a medic for the U.S. Marine Corps. He also was stationed in Japan for two years.

After military service, George and Joan Krienke moved to the Twin Cities where he attended the University of Minnesota Veterinary School, graduating with his doctorate in 1961.

Krienke started the Rice Pet Clinic and Hospital in 1962 when he purchased five acres of land on the corner of Rice Street and County Road C in Little Canada, Minn.. By 1975 he built and moved into his new clinic. In 1991, Krienke’s nephew, Tim Krienke, bought the practice and a new era began.

Krienke also participated greatly in his local community. He was a longtime member of the Roseville Rotary, first joining in 1973 and serving as president from 1995-1996. He was also on the Roseville Central Park Board for 46 years from 1965-2021. See the full list of his commitments in his full obituary from Mueller-Bies Funeral Homes.

Krienke’s first wife Joan passed away in May, 1991. A year later, he met the second love of his life, Ramona Mogg. They became life partners in 2004, reminding us it is never too late to fall in love. They travelled together and built their home in Roseville.

Although Krienke had no children of his own, he considered his two nephews Tim Krienke and Bob Neale as his sons, along with their wives Kelly and Michele and their children Emily, Patrick, Ellie, Abigail and Alexander. Krienke also has four great-great nieces and nephews, one of whom is named George!

Through partnership with Ramona, he inherited three adult children, Lisa (Dan Douglass), Tracy and Melanie, five grandchildren, Clinton, Morgan, Joe, Charlie and Becca, as well as 12 great grandchildren, one of whom is named Georgette!

Krienke was preceded in death by his first wife Joan, daughter from Ramona, Melanie Mogg, his three older brothers as well as many friends.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 31 at Mueller-Bies Funeral Home – Roseville, 2130 N. Dale St. at County Road B. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 1-2 p.m. on Sunday.

Following the service, all are invited to a Celebration of Life, which will be held at his Peninsula on Lake Owasso, 547 Heinel Drive, Roseville.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rotary International or the University of MN Veterinary School Scholarship Fund.