Kroeker, Anna Janzen (1903-1978)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Aug 18 p. 34

Birth date: 1903 Jan 20

text of obituary:

MRS. ANNA KROEKER

(Mrs.) Anna Kroeker was born on January 20, 1903, to Dietrich and Elisabeth (nee Warkentin) Janzen, the youngest of eleven children. Orphaned at the age of 15 years, she lived with her married sisters until her own marriage to Jacob Wiens. They had one son, Jacob, before her husband became ill with typhus and died in 1923, leaving her with an infant son. At this time she was baptized and joined the Mennonite Brethren Church.

She married Peter Kroeker on August 3, 1924, and a second son, Peter, was born before they emigrated to Canada in 1926. They settled and farmed in the Culross, Man., district until 1935, when they moved to a farm in Elm Creek, Man., their home until 1964. Four more children were born in Canada, and all came to know the Lord and joined the church. Her husband died in 1964, and she left the farm to live in Winnipeg with one of her daughters, before moving into the Donwood apartments. On June 27 she became ill and was taken to the Concordia Hospital, where she died on June 28.

She leaves to mourn her children, Jacob and Kay Kroeker, Peter and Lydia Kroeker, Gertrude and Peter Rempel, Anna and Abe Enns, Wally and Martha Kroeker and Betsy and Henry Thielmann; 30 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her sister, Lise, and many relatives and friends.