Obituary of Menno Jacob Kroeker

LIFE STORY OF MENNO KROEKER

Our Dad and Grandad, Menno Kroeker was born on December 5, 1933 to Jacob and Maria (Sawatzky) Kroeker in Drake, Saskatchewan, the youngest of seven children. In 1940, when he was seven years old, they moved from Saskatchewan to Ontario eventually settling in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

In September 1958 Dad married the love of his life, Anneliese. For the next 65 years, Dad and Mom faithfully exemplified a loving, caring Christian marriage. God blessed them with two girls, Gloria (1960) and Barbara (1964). During this time, Dad sang with the Messengers Quartet for seventeen years. His desire was to serve his Lord and Saviour with the musical gift that God had given him. Although this meant travelling away from home on frequent tours, he counted it a privilege and truly lived out the message of Psalm 146:2 “I will sing and praise the Lord God for as long as I live".

Dad worked at Virgil Service Centre for 40 years where he touched many peoples lives with his kind, gentle nature. His positive attitude endeared him to many people. He had a smile and a cheerful greeting for everyone.   

At Tabor Manor, Dad generously shared his passionate commitment to music by leading and singing in chapel ministries. He shared his love for oil landscape painting with others in the basement art room at Tabor. His beautiful paintings reflect the joy he found in creativity.

 He dearly loved his three grandchildren Maegan, Candice and Graham and was a proud Grandad. All who knew him were blessed by his sweet humble personality, his faith in the Lord, and his willingness to help and encourage.

While his dear wife spent her last years in Long Term Care, he demonstrated his deep love and commitment by caring for her every day. She truly was the love of his life.

After a lengthy hospital stay during which he cheered the lives of countless medical staff, Dad passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 6, 2024 with family by his side. Now these two love birds are rejoicing together in heaven! Our parents will be greatly missed but we have the assurance of meeting again in heaven.

Dad is predeceased by his parents and brothers Jacob, Herman, Harry, and sisters Marie Loewen and Vera Voth. Survived by sister Elsie Solis.

He will be fondly remembered by daughters Gloria Kroeker and Barbara and Randy Boese, grandchildren Maegan and Kevin Gregoire, Candice Boese, Graham and Rachel Boese, and great-grandchildren Tobias and Elowyn Boese.  

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15

Dad and Mom would’ve wanted their Celebration of Life to be together. Please join us as we celebrate the life of Menno and Anneliese Kroeker in the Fireside Room at Tallman Funeral Home, 3277 King St, Vineland, Ontario on Thursday, March 14 from 4-7pm. Open house and open mic. Light refreshments will be served.  

If desired donations can be made to www.coldwatercanada.org/give a youth mission that the family supports. Or mail cheques to Cedar Creek Community Church, memo: Coldwater Canada, 2042 Dumfries Rd, RR4, Cambridge, ON, N1R 5S5

For more information, contact Graham Boese, 905-931-1677