Kroeker, Abraham T. (1870-1963)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1963 Feb 14 p. 8

Birth date: 1870 Apr 17

text of obituary:

ABRAHAM T. KROEKER

Our loving father, Abraham T. Kroeker, son of Rev. and Mrs. Abraham Kroeker, was born on April 17, 1870, in South Russia. At the age of four years he came with his parents to America and settled in the Buhler-Inman, Kansas, territory.

At the age of 17 he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, was baptized upon his confession of faith and united with the Zoar Mennonite Brethren Church.

In 1891 he was united in holy matrimony to our mother, then Tena Klassen. Our mother passed away in 1940. This union was blessed with 10 children. Two of these children, Mary at the age of 58, and Isaac at the age of 49, preceded their father in death.

Our parents made their first home on a farm near Buhler, Kan. In 1909 they moved to Escandido [sic Escondido], Calif. About four years later they moved to Wasco, Calif. From there they went back to Kansas, and in 1918 moved to Grand Prairie, Alberta, Canada. In 1922 our parents came back to California and made their home in the Shafter vicinity. In 1949 our father moved to Reedley, Calif. and was united in holy matrimony to Helen Adrian Heinrichs. This union lasted only four years.

The last years of his life father lived in his home in Reedley. He spent many years as a Sunday school teacher and during his active life took much interest in the church. He rejoiced in the reality of his Saviour. During the last week of his life he had some difficult spiritual battles, but God answered his prayer and he could rejoice in his salvation. Thursday morning, Jan. 10, 1963, the Lord called him home to glory. He would have reached the age of 93 in the month of April.

Those who stand by to mourn at his passing are his eight children: Sarah, Mrs. Abe Klassen, Dinuba; Jacob, Shafter; Abe, Dinuba; George, Selma; John, Yettam; Pete, Reedley; Henry, Fresno; and Curt, Bakersfield.

Besides these there are 27 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.

The memorial service was held in the Reedley Mennonite Brethren Church on Saturday, Jan. 12, with Rev. Dan Friesen and Rev. G. B. Huebert, officiating.