Gerald Charles Kroeger, the second of three sons of William J. Kroeger and Josephine Schumacher, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on April 23, 1929. He received his early education in Milwaukee, first at Holy Redeemer Grammar School and then at Holy Redeemer Junior High School and St. Francis Minor Seminary. He completed his college education at St. Francis Seminary (1947-51) where he received a bachelor's degree in philosophy.

In September 1951 he entered the Order at St. Peter Martyr Priory, Winona, Minnesota, where he was given the religious name of Louis Bertrand. A year later he made his first profession of vows on September 3, 1952, and was then assigned to St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, River Forest, Illinois, to pursue philosophical studies (1952-55), earning the bachelor's and licentiate degrees in philosophy from the Pontifical Faculty of Philosophy. On September 3, 1955, he made his solemn profession there and was immediately sent to St. Rose of Lima Priory, Dubuque, Iowa, to begin theological studies (1955-59). He was ordained to the priesthood on May 24, 1958.

Upon completing his theological studies Father Kroeger was assigned again to St. Thomas Aquinas Priory, River Forest, Illinois, to begin a doctoral degree in philosophy at the Pontifical Faculty of Philosophy. In 1960 he joined the faculty of Rosary College (now

Dominican University) and also served as Assistant Master of Students at St. Thomas Aquinas Priory (1960 -64). For the 1964-65 school year he was chaplain for Rosary College in addition to his teaching duties.

In 1965 he took up campus ministry at South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota, and continued in this ministry until 1977. He was a moving force in developing the ecumenical dimensions of campus ministry at the University and was active in social justice movements. In 1977 he was appointed pastor of St. Albert the Great Parish, Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he served for twelve years. In 1986 he joined a team ministry effort of Dominican Friars and Sisters at Visitation Parish, Chicago, Illinois, as a co-pastor, a position which he filled until 1994. For the next two years he continued to reside at Visitation Rectory and, while doing parish supply work, he began to develop a special ministry of grant writing for poorer parishes, especially in the Englewood area of Chicago. In 1996 he moved to St. Joseph Parish, Summit, Illinois, to serve as an assistant pastor and to continue his ministry of grant writing. During this time he began to assist the Province in its efforts at grant writing.

During his later years at St. Joseph Parish Father Kroeger began to have respiratory difficulties which required him to have a constant supply of oxygen. On February 14, 2004, he was taken to MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, Illinois, because of difficulties in breathing. He did not wish extraordinary means to be used in his care, and his condition worsened, and on February 23, 2004 he died at the hospital. Funeral services were held at St. Joseph Parish, Summit, Illinois, on February 25th and on the next day the Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Pius V Church, Chicago. Burial was in the Dominican plot at Al Saints Cemetery, Des Plaines, Illinois.