Kroeker, Harold J. (1908-1962)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Nov 15 p. 3

Birth date: 1908 Feb 29

text of obituary:

Nebraska Businessman Dies in Head-On Crash Near Lincoln

Henderson, Neb. — A head-on auto crash at Emerald, Neb., near Lincoln, claimed the lives of Harold J. Kroeker, 54, well-known Henderson business man, and the driver of the other car involved, an air force sergeant, from Lincoln.

It was reported that the officer's car swerved into Mr. Kroeker's lane, killing him instantly. He was returning from Omaha where he had attended a meeting of the Grace Bible Institute board of directors.

Mr. Kroeker had been in the lumber and grain business here for 31 years and was active in community affairs.

Survivors include his wife, Minnie; two sons, Harold W. of Henderson and Philip of Bloomington, Ind.; one daughter, Sandra, student at Westminster Choir College, Princeton, N. J.; four grandchildren; his mother, Mrs. J. J. Kroeker of Hastings; and one sister, Mrs. Cornelius A. Peters of Henderson.

The largely attended funeral was conducted at the Bethesda Mennonite Church here on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 4.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1962 Dec 13 p. 8

text of obituary:

HAROLD J. KROEKER

Our husband and father, Harold J. Koeker [sic Kroeker], son of J. J. and Mary Petker Kroeker, was born Feb. 29, 1908 in Henderson, Neb. On Nov. 1, 1962, having reached the age of 54 years, his life came to a sudden close as the result of an automobile accident.

He spent his entire life in the Henderson Community with the exception of a few years which he spent in California.

He graduated from Henderson High School in 1926. After attending York College for two years, he entered the grain and lumber business. Throughout his life he served the Lord joyfully and gave of himself unselfishly to the mission of the Church and to many community activities. He served as church pianist, Sunday school teacher, school board member, fireman, church trustee, on the Ministerial Council, building committee member of the Nursing Home, hospital board, Grace Children's Home board, secretary of Henderson telephone Co., financial secretary of Northern District Conference and member of the executive committee, board member of the Grace Bible Institute, member of Gideon's International, and member of furnishings committee for the educational building of the Bethesda Church.

On October 18, 1931 we were married and were granted 32 years of happiness. God blessed us with two sons and one daughter.

He was baptized and received as a member of the Bethesda Mennonite Church on May 10, 1931. Several years later he experienced the new birth and grasped the truth of salvation, of atonment for sin by the blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. At this time he surrendered his life and all that he had to Christ. Inspired by the example and testimony of R. G. Letourneau, his motto became “God Runs My Business.” With God as his partner, he considered his life work as a service to others. For many years a small plaque hung in his office on which these words were inscribed, “Only one life, twill soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.”

Left to mourn his departure are his wife, Minnie; two sons, Harold Wayne and Phillip Keith; one daughter, Sandra Kathleen; two daughters-in-law, Doris and Velma; and four grandchildren.

Our prayer is that God's will may be done in our lives as it was done in his. — Mrs. Minnie Kroeker and Family.