Kroeker, Gerhard C. (1889-1972)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1972 Jun 30 p. 30

Birth date: 1889 Aug 29

text of obituary:

GERHARD C. KROEKER

Gerhard Kroeker, of W'innipeg, Manitoba, was born ,in 1889 in 'Blumstein, South Russia, where he spent his childhood, later moving to the Terek. :In 1917 he was married ,to A,ganeth'a Plett, and their union was blessed with six children. He was saved in 1923 and joined the Mennonite Brethren church the same year. After surviving the difficult war years and the turbulent periods afterwards, the fam-illy emigrated to Cana,da in 1925, settling first in A'lexander, then Justice, and after 1947 in Winnipeg. In 1953 he was or'dained to the diacona'tein the South End MiB Church, where he a'lso served as Sunday school teacher and Bible instruotor. For a number of years he served as custodian and manager of buildings and grounds at the Mennonite Brethren Bible Col'lege. Brother Kroeker became 'il'l in November, 1971 wi,thlung cancer, and spent some ,time in the hosp'ital before being re'leased for several - months an,d then re-admitted. He ,died on May 5, with the family members presen,t to witness the glori'O,usdeath of the redeemed. He w predeceased bya son and a daughter, ana loving wife in November, 1971, aft'!1 being married for 54 years . He was 82 years olld. Left to mourn 'are three daughters: Tina (Mrs. John Huebert), Selma (Mrs . Ja'cob Penner) , and A,gnes; one s'On: John; 13 grandchildren, and 13 greatgrandchildren, as weH as many re-Iatives and friends . Speakers at the funeral, May 9, 'inolude,d G:D. Huebert, pastor of the Central MiB Ohurch, John W-a'il, and Wlm. Schmidt. Interment fol'lowed 'at the Glen Eden Cemetery .