Kroeker, Tena (1907-1950)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1950 Apr 27 p. 6

Birth date: 1907 Oct 30

text of obituary:

MRS. JOHN F. KROEKER

Mrs. Tena Kroeker was born in Russia on October 30, 1907. She, with her parents, left Russia in August 1921 when she was 13 years old.

They arrived in America in June 1922 and settled on a farm near Inman, Kansas. There she received her education, two years of secular instruction and one year in Bible School.

In the year 1925 the family moved to Turpin, Okla. It was there that she found salvation and was baptized upon her faith by Elder P. H. Unruh. In 1929 they moved to Felt, Okla. and lived there until 1932 when they moved to Dalhart, Texas. There she met John F. Kroeker, and there they were married on March 11, 1934 by Rev. B. O. Kroeker, with a faith in God but little else besides.

They took up the occupation of farming. With the dreary days of drouth and windstorms which swept these prairies, resettlement became necessary again. This took place in April 1936 when they moved to Jansen, Nebr., where she lived until the Lord called her home on March 25, 1950, at 9:20 p. m. She reached the age 42 years, four months and 25 days.

The family was blessed with 4 children: Alvin, Tena, David and Hulda.

Since she had a very meek and tender nature, she made friends easily and also kept them. She served her Lord in a humble way. The last two years she suffered much. In the summer of 1948 she spent 11 weeks in the hospital. Then again the last seven weeks of her life were spent in the hospital. Although she did not complain because of her suffering, she wanted to be with her family.

She leaves to mourn her early death her husband, the four children, her parents, her mother-in-law, four brothers, one sister, six brothers-in-law, nine sisters-in-law, and many friends.

Two brothers preceded her in death; Hans died when 15 months old on Ellis Island upon entrance into this country and Cornelius when 21 years old at Dalhart, Texas.

We have this hope spoken by Jesus: "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live." This hope shall ever spur us on even through sorrow to eternal joy, where she is now with her Redeemer. — The Family