Katherine I. Krueger

Katherine Ingrid Krueger (Katie), 48, of Arlington, VA died tragically near her home on August 16, 2026. Born in Boston, she was raised in Salem, MA, attended Shore Country Day School in Beverly, MA; St. Paul’s School in Concord, NH; and the University of Chicago, where she majored in political science and international relations.

Katie brought insight, care, and stability to all parts of her life and leaves a gap that will never be filled. She is dearly missed and her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. Katie is survived by her husband, Matthew Witting of Arlington, VA; her father, Thomas Krueger of Marblehead, MA; and her sisters, Alison Krueger of Arlington, VA and Olivia Krueger of Tempe, AZ. She was predeceased by her mother, Elaine Krueger of Salem, MA.

Katie moved to Washington, DC, after college to launch a career in international development, specializing in democratic governance, election integrity, and peacebuilding in conflict zones. Katie worked in some of the most complex and challenging places in the world, from Egypt during the Arab Spring to eastern Turkey and Lebanon during the Syrian Civil War, as well as a dozen other European and African nations. She led teams around the world and brought a rare combination of competence, pragmatism, and compassion to her work. Amidst her many travels, she reconnected with Matt, a college friend, marrying him in Salem, MA, in 2008. Together they lived and worked in Romania, South Sudan, and Lebanon.

As a balance to her chaotic and hazardous professional world, Katie filled her home life with comfort and structure. She was an exceptional knitter and sewer, producing sweaters, quilts, and jackets to keep her loved ones warm (and stylish). Katie and Matt were devoted to their rescue dogs, always two at a time. She cooked and baked with passion and loved preparing a meal for visiting friends and producing legendary quantities of cookies for Christmas. Her enthusiasm for adventure wasn’t limited to work: she twice rafted through the Grand Canyon, spent weeks touring the most remote parts of Lebanon and Kenya for fun, and braved the perils of hostile fans to see her beloved Washington Capitals play in 19 cities from LA to Montreal.

A prayer service followed by a celebration of Katie’s life will be held on September 19, 2026, in Arlington, Virginia. Memorial donations in Katie’s memory may be made to the Arlington Food Assistance Center, where she volunteered, and to the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation.