Kroeker, Klaas (1860-1942)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1942 Jun 4 p. 1

Birth date: 1860

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.