Kroeker, Klaas (1860-1942)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Jun 4 p. 1

Birth date: 1860 Feb 25

text of obituary:

REV. KLAAS KROEKER PIONEER MINISTER OF INMAN, KANSAS, LAID TO REST AT BETHEL CHURCH, MONDAY MAY 25

Inman, Kansas. — Rev. Klaas Kroeker, pioneer minister and elder of the Bethel Mennonite church, was laid to rest in the cemetery near the church he served for 40 years, on Monday, May 25.

He, together with Solomon Ediger, were ordained to the ministry in May, 1899 by Elder Heinrich Toews. In 1911 he became elder of the Bethel church, which service he continued for about 30 years. He preached his last sermon on December 28, 1941.

He died at his home on May 21, at the age of 82 years.

He is survived by his widow and all his children, seven sons, who are Abraham, Peter, Klaas, Henry, Jacob, Martin and George, and one daughter, Mrs. J. T. Wiens.

Funeral services were held in the Bethel church, Monday, May 25. Speakers at the church were Rev. J. H. Ediger, Rev. P. T. Neufeld and Rev. Zimmerman from Sterling. Rev. D. Friesen conducted the services at the home and Rev. B. O. Kroeker of Janzen, Nebraska, officiated a3t the cemetery, one mile south of Inman. An octet sang several selections. The pallbearers were Rev. D. C. Pauls, Rev. J. A. Entz, Rev. A. J. Dyck, Rev. J. E. Hildebrand, Rev. B. O. Kroeker and Rev. T. A. van der Smissen.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Jun 18 p. 4

text of obituary:

Biography of Rev. Klaas Kroeker, Pioneer Minister Of Bethel Congregation at Inman, Kan.

The following biography sketches in an interesting way the life of the late Elder Klaas Kroeker, pioneer minister of the Bethel Mennonite church at Inman, Kansas. Funeral services for Rev. Kroeker were held there Monday, May 25.

I, Klaas Kroeker, was born February 25, 1860, in Fuerstenwerder, south Russia. My parents at that time lived on the small farm with the treadmill. At the age of six, I began to attend the village school here and continued for seven years. Besides religious instruction, we were taught reading, writing, arithmetic, composition, spelling, Geography, Bible History and Church History.

After my school years, I helped my parents on a full-sized farm till 1878, when they, Peter Kroekers, emigrated to the United States of America and settled in Reno County, Kansas, near the present site of Buhler. Here I helped in the hard labor of the pioneers.

Safely I came across the Atlantic with my parents, but the load of my sin came with me and accused me day and night, till I went to my father one night and made a confession of sin. Then I felt different and my father said to me,"If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God."

This I grasped in faith and tried to make it mine — even till today. That was in the twentieth year of my life. next spring, my sister and I joined an instruction class and were then baptized by Elder Heinrich Toews upon our confession of sin and of faith in Jesus Christ and his shed blood.

January 23, 1894, I was united in marriage to Margaretha Esau.

March 7, 1894, I was chosen for the ministry. Since the task seemed so great to me, I could not at that time decide for the same. On April 8, 1898, on a Good Friday, I stood up before the congregation for the first time to preach. In weakness I tried to testify of the love of God. On May 22, 1899, on the second day of Pentecost, Brother Solomon Ediger and I were ordained to the ministry for lifetime, by Elder Heinrich Toews. In weakness we tried to serve.

On February 10, 1911, I was again elected and this time to the office of elder. On September 22, 1912, I was ordained for this position by Elder Heinrich Toews, and again for lifetime.

With much prayer and supplication, we have tried to serve in weakness and imperfection, especially when facing spiritual transactions, such as instruction, baptisms, communion, marriage ceremonies, funeral sermons, ex-communication of disobedient and unrepentant members and reinstallation of the penitent and contrite souls. Yes, to follow and seek the erring till found again; to help the poor and distressed; to visit and comfort the sick and dying and sorrowing; to strengthen their faith, to pray with them and to encourage them with God's Word. Even though all efforts should seem to be in vain, I should continue unwearied, firmly trusting God's grace, while yet it is day.

And how have I succeeded in this? In weakness we have tried to carry on according to rules and regulations,s mostly written, as prepared by our forefathers sin Russia and before that. But I have repeatedly felt my imperfection and have had to trust God's grace and the merits of Jesus Christ.

On October 31, 1935, the church again held an election for an elder. October 18, 1936, the newly-elected elder, Brother Peter T. Neufeld, was ordained for this position at our annual mission festival.

Now as to some of my experiences during my services in the church, it so happened in 1924 that I because of circumstances . . . . (Here ends the biography.)

●     ●     ●

June 15, 1937, Rev. Kroeker broke his leg and since then he has often been seriously sick. He gave his last sermon December 26, 1941. He spoke a few words to the audience at his brother's funeral on April 3. Since Good Friday his strength left him rapidly, and he was confined to his bed since May 15. On May 16 he was filled with great joy to face death.

Since then he had a strong desire to go home. He held out his hands to show that heaven's door was open wide. On the 20th he began to bid farewell to his loved ones. When asked where he was going, he replied, "To heaven."

Thursday night, May 21, at 9:45, he fell asleep peacefully. His death was caused by heart disease and complications. He reached the age of 82 years, 2 months and 25 days. Marriage was for a period of 48 years, 3 months and 23 days. He is survived by his beloved wife, all children, namely seven sons, Abraham, Peter, Klaas, Henry, Jacob, martin and George; one daughter, Mrs. J. T. Wiens, one son-in-law, seven daughter-in-law, 17 grandchildren, one brother, three sisters, as well as other relatives and friends. His first grandchild preceded him in death, also five brothers.

We mourn, but not without hope, for we have the confidence that he now sees what he believed, and expect to meet him again in heaven.

Death has robbed us of our father,
     Whom we loved and cherished dear;
It was father, yes, dear father;
     Can we help but shed a tear?
Yes, we miss him. Oh, we miss him.
     When we see his vacant chair;
And how sad the room without him.
     For there is no father there.
Oft we think we hear him coming,
     Coming thru the open door;
Then we tearfully remember,
     Father will come back no more.
Father's work on earth is ended,
     Faithfully the cross he bore;
Now his loving soul's ascended
     Over to fair Canaan's shore.

Farewell, dear Father, your labors are o'er,
Your willing hands will toil no more;
Peaceful be thy slumbers, thy rest be sweet,
Our circle is broken, our home incomplete.

The Bereaved Family