Kroeker, Jacob A. (1898-1972)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary Nov 17 p. 23

Birth date: 1898 Feb 14

text of obituary:

JACOB A. KROEKER

Jacob Kroeker, Winnipeg, died on October 9 after a short illness. He was born in the bea utiful Crimean p eninsula, Russia, in 1898. From there he moved with his parents to Halbstadt, where his father wa s editor of the Mennonite paper " Friedensltimme." 1-11 health w as a hindrance in his elementary school education, yet he was able to attend a comm ercial college and complete his educati on there. He continued his studies at the Charkaw un iversity, but before he could compl ete his last year, he was imprisoned on religio us roun ds. Prison life was detrim ental to his health. After moving to Canada in 1923, he continu ed his university educa·t ion in Salem, Oregon; then he attended the University of Manitoba. In 1927 he was married to Aganetha Konrad and settled in Winnipeg. He had to disco ntinue his studies due to the depress io n. His father wanted him to work for t he sick, so he became a phys'iotherapist and opened his own office, assist ed by his wife . His main concern w as th e physical and spiritual welfare of his patient, and God rewarde·d him in his work. He accepted Christ as his Saviour at the age of 17 and joined the MB Church shortly th ereafter, and has remain ed an active member in -the Central MB Church until the Lord ca'lled him away. His ability to organize things was evidenced in the establishment of the German cemetery, Glen Eden, the Concordia Hospital, the Crosstown Cred·it Union, and many other similar veMures in which he played a signifi·cant ro·le. In later years he was especial·ly interested in the Mennonites in Paraguay, and he'lped to send medical equipment to their hospitals. His last concern was for a Senior Citizen 's Home near his church, but he did not live to see it completed. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints." He leaves to mourn his wife, one son, two daughters, three brothers, two sisters, as weH as many friends and relatives.