Kroeker, Eva Ratzlaff (1885-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Dec 31 p. 8

Birth date: 1885 Jan 31

text of obituary:

MRS. EVA RATZLAFF KROEKER

Mrs. Eva Ratzlaff Kroeker, daughter of David J. and Anna Ratzlaff, was born on Jan. 31, 1885, near Hillsboro, Kansas. In that community she spent her childhood days and received her elementary education and also attended Tabor college.

In the year of 1903, under the spirit-filled preaching of the late Bro. P. P. Rempel, she, along with her four sisters and her father, accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. She found peace through Verses 2 and 3 of Psalm 103. On Oct. 8, 1905, she, her four sisters and father, were baptized and united with the Mennonite Brethren church of Hillsboro, Kansas for fellowship.

On Oct. 28, 1945, she was united with Gerhard Kroeker in holy matrimony and thereby assumed the responsibility of being a mother to his children and grandmother to his grandchildren. This responsibility she carried with great devotion and proved herself to be a mother indeed as she loved our family. This union lasted 14 years, one month, and 21 days.

We made our home at Enid, Okla. until 1954. That year we moved to Reedley, Calif. where we united with the Mennonite Brethren Church for fellowship. She remained a faithful member of this church and loved her Lord until the very last.

Our devoted wife and mother had the joy of making a trip to Kansas and visiting her sisters and brothers and other relatives and friends in the month of October. Soon after our return she became ill and was taken to the St. Agnes hospital in Fresno, Calif. She spent a full month in the hospital, and on Saturday morning, Dec. 19, 1959, the Lord gently called her home to Glory. She longed for this hour and was ready to go, and we praise the Lord that He has relieved her from her suffering. She reached the age of 74 years, 10 months, and 28 days.

Those who remain to mourn her departure are her husband, Gerhard Kroeker of Reedley, and the following children for whom she assumed the responsibility of motherhood: John H. Kroeker of Fresno, Calif., Henry M. Kroeker of Fresno, Paul H. Kroeker of San Jose, Calif., Dan Kroeker of San Jose, and Bertha, Mrs. Frank Janzen of Reedley. Also surviving are 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Minnie, Helen and Mathilda Ratzlaff, and two brothers, Reuben and David Ratzlaff, all of Hillsboro, Kan.

The funeral service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 23, at the Mennonite Brethren church of Reedley, Calif., with Rev. Dan Friesen and Rev. Henry L. Janzen officiating.