Kroeker, Martin Abram (1900-1973)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1973 Jun 01 p. 31

Birth dte: 1900 Jul 29

text of obituary:

REV. MARTIN A. KROEKER

Martin A. Kroeker, well known MB Minister, died in Hillsboro, Kansas, on Monday morning, May 21, 1973. Funeral services were held on Sunday, May 27, with Rev. Marvin Hein and G. S. Warkentin officiating. Burial was in the Hillsboro MB Cemetery.

Rev. Kroeker was born in South Russia in 1900. He attended school in Russia and began teaching at the age of 17. In 1921 he married Helen Epp, and in 1924 they left Russia. They settled on a farm at Marion, South Dakota, where they remained almost 22 years. During this time he served as minister and pastor of the Silver Lake MB Church.

In 1933 Kroeker was elected to the Board of General Welfare and Public Relations. In 1955, he was appointed General Secretary of this board, and in 1956 the family moved to Hillsboro, wehre he continued in this position until the merger of the Board of General Welfare and the Board of Missions in 1966.

Thereafter he worked with the Board of Trustees of the General Conference. While attending the Central District Conference in Bridgewater, South Dakota in 1967, he suffered a stroke, which severly handicapped him, especially in his speech.

He is survived by his wife, 5 daughters, 3 sons and their families, including 23 grandchildren, 2 brothers and 2 sisters.