Bringing A Soldier Home
    Bill Kroll, a native of St. Mary's Ridge fought in the South Pacific in 1943 and lost his life in the battle. After nearly six and a half decades since he has been home, he will be buried on St. Mary's Ridge Thursday, May 26, 2005.

    Re-Internment is schedule for Thursday, May 26, at the cemetery behind St. Mary's Ridge Catholic Church. A ceremony will be conducted by Father Eric Berns from 10:00 - noon, followed by a lunch. The public is invited.

    Kroll was assigned to Dudley McGough's rifle squad and the two made a pact to contact the other's family if anything happened to the other one. McGough never forgot his pact with his fallen comrade over six decades ago. It was through a freelance reporter in North Carolina where he now lives that he was able to contact Ormie Mack and was eventually able to contact Bill's family.
    Bill attended St. Mary's Catholic School before graduating from Cashton High School. He had six other siblings, two of whom are still alive. A brother Erwin, who still lives on the family farm about a mile from the church and a sister, Marie Williams of Ontario.

    Erwin has made arrangements to have Bill buried in the Catholic cemetery on St. Mary's Ridge. Ormie Mack was instrumental in getting Bill's body returned to the windy ridge, where he spent most of his life.

    Torkelson Funeral Home is donating its service for the transfer of Bill's remains from Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota. Donations are being accepted to help cover the cost of having Bill's remains relocated.

    Bill's sacrifice for his country is an important part of St. Mary's History.
Picture of Bill Krull's re-internment. Picture of Bill Krull's re-internment.
If you would like more information you may contact Ormie Mack at 608-823-7674 or email him at smrdd@stmarysridge.org