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Kroeker, Arnold Duane (1936-1957)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 8 p. 1
Birth date: 1936 Sep 23
text of obituary:
Two Young Men Drowned In Lake Erie
Contents |
WERE ENGAGED IN I-W SERVICE IN HOSPITAL AT WINDSOR, ONTARIO
Inman, Kan. — Parents of two young men from this community doing their I-W service in a hospital at Windsor, Ont. received the tragic news Sunday night that their sons had drowned that evening while swimming in Lake Erie, off the tip of Pt. Pelee National Park.
The drowning victims are Arnie Kroeker,20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kroeker, Inman, and Virgil Regier, 21,son of Mr. and Mrs. Herb Regier of Buhler.
As late as Wednesday morning the bodies had not yet been recovered, in spite of continued and intensive search by police and coast guard personnel.
According to companions who witnessed the tragedy, the two were still only waist deep in the water when a large wave came in, the undertow of which then swept them away.
Grief-stricken relatives are waiting for the recovery of the bodies before making any arrangements for either memorial or funeral services.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 15 p. 1
text of obituary:
Body Of One Youth Found In Lake Erie
FUNERAL SERVICES FOR VIRGIL REGIER ANNOUNCED WEDNESDAY AT BUHLER
Buhler, Kan. — Funeral services for Virgil Regier, who together with Arnold Kroeker lost his life through downing in Lake Erie on Sunday, Aug.4, were announced for Wednesday, Aug. 14, to be held here at the Mennonite Brethren church.
Regier's body was found Friday 12 miles from Point Pelee National Park, Ontario, Canada, where he and Kroeker had gone swimming. At latest report Kroeker's body was still not recovered.
Both young men had been in I-W service in a Michigan hospital.
The parents of the drowning victims, Mr. and Mrs. Herb Regier, Buhler, and Mr. and Mrs. M. E. Kroeker, Inman, had gone to Windsor, Ont. for a memorial service in the church which their sons had usually attended.
A memorial service for Kroeker is planned at the Bethel Mennonite church at Inman Thursday afternoon, to be conducted by Rev. P. T. Neufeld. In the event the missing body should yet be found by that time, the service will be postponed.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Aug 29 p. 8
text of obituary:
ARNOLD DUANE KROEKER
Arnold Duane Kroeker was born Sept. 23, 1936, at Hutchinson, Kansas, the oldest son of Martin E. and Mary (Doerksen) Kroeker of Inman,Kansas. He had two brothers, Alvin and Irvin, with whom he grew up and enjoyed the blessing of a Christian home, and he himself helped to add joy and blessing to the same.
He attended and completed grade and high school, part of the latter being in Central Christian High School. Here he sang in the quartet and took part in other activities. With the thought of teaching in mind, he then entered Bethel College and attended there for two years.
On May 8, 1950, he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. This decision came as a result of his attending a two-week vacation Bible school. Since that time he had tried to follow and serve Him and found many opportunities to do so. He was baptized June 1,1950, by Rev. P. T. Neufeld, and was received as member into the Bethel Mennonite Church of Inman, Kansas, whose faithful member he remained to the end.
In the fall of 1956 he decided to begin his two years of Alternative Service. He chose to go to Detroit, Mich. to serve in the Ford Hospital. He left home Nov. 9 and began his work the 16th. When his father found it difficult to part, Arnold told him, “Don't take it so serious. Don't worry. I am glad to go. Whatever happens will be the Lord's will.” The family bade hime [sic] goodbye and wished him God's blessing.
He enjoyed his work very much and also enjoyed the fellowship with the other workers and in the Christian and Missionary Alliance church there, where they were welcomed heartily and given opportunity to help along. At first he worked as an orderly, but then transferred to the laboratory of the autopsy department. He took night classes to help prepare for this work. When cautioned against it, he answered, ”I've thought this through. I think God wants me there. I can do it.” Later he wrote, “I enjoy it and regret that nine months of my time are already up.”
In April, 1957, it was his privilege to visit his home and friends and also his beloved friend, Elaine Teichroew from Mt. Lake, Minn. and student at Bethel College. He returned by air and the family remembers his cheerful farewell, their last contact with him on this side the pearly gates. They carried on correspondence with him and had the privilege of a telephone conversation with him during the last week of his earthly pilgrimage. Their plans were to visit him there the following week. The trip was made, however not for a visit, but because of the tragedy which took him and his friends, Virgil Regier, from this world to be with their Lord.
Late Sunday night the shocking news came that Arnold and Virgil had drowned while wading in the shores of lake Erie that afternoon, at 6:20. Words cannot express the emotions caused by an experience like this. Our prayer is for sustaining grace to uphold us and we believe that God's words to Paul are meant for us also, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” He reached the age of 20 years, 10 months and 12 days.
The families were privileged to attend a memorial service in Detroit which friends there had arranged for the two boys. We are comforted by the thought that he has been transplanted to a better land, a land of eternal happiness and bliss, and look for a happy reunion up there.
He leaves to mourn his sudden and early departure his bereaved parents, Martin and Mary Kroeker; two brothers, Alvin and irvin of the home; his beloved Elaine Teichroew of Mt. Lake; uncles and aunts, cousins, and other relatives and friends. — The Bereaved family.
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Sep 5 p. 1
text of obituary:
RECOVER BODY OF SECOND DROWNING VICTIM FROM LAKE ERIE
Inman, Kan. — The body of Arnold D. Kroeker, one of two youths who drowned in Lake Erie on Aug. 24 and returned here for burial.
Grave side services were conducted Aug. 29 at the South Inman cemetery, Rev. P. T. Neufeld in charge. Memorial services for the Kroeker youth had been held earlier at the Bethel Mennonite Church.
The body of Virgil L. Regier was found four days after the tragedy, and funeral services were held Aug. 14 at the Mennonite Brethren church, Buhler.
The Mennonite obituary: 1957 Sep 3 p. 560
