MARGARET KROEKER

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MARGARET KROEKER Due to long term complications of a stroke, Margaret (Neufeld Klassen) Kroeker passed away at Bethania Personal Care Home on October 23, 2014, at 94 years of age. She was born on February 9, 1920 in Steinfeld, South Russia, a small village approximately 20 km northeast of the industrial city of Krivoy Rog; she was the eldest child of Elizabeth Reimer and Abram Neufeld. Following the untimely death of her father, her mother married John P. Klassen in 1928. A year later, she immigrated to Canada with her parents and three siblings to reside on a farm near Alexander, MB. She continued her schooling there, before attending Winkler Bible School and graduating with a Sunday school teacher's diploma. It was also in Winkler that she met the love of her life, Alfred Kroeker, whom she married on June 28, 1941, in the Alexander United church. Margaret enjoyed her role as a homemaker, providing for the needs of Alfred and her children; she was a superb cook, enjoyed gardening, and in the early years, supplemented the scarce family income by canning summer fruits and vegetables, sewing, mending and knitting. She contributed to Alfred's country school teaching career by organizing and directing the annual Christmas program. In keeping with her strong Christian faith, she volunteered as a Sunday School teacher, Pioneer Girls leader, and neighbourhood Bible Study leader. Margaret was the life of the party with her sparkling personality and infectious laugh. For as long as she was able, she was often the hostess of those parties, offering an abundance of food at a moment's notice, and an endless supply of warm hospitality. She will be remembered for her brilliant story-telling, her love of singing, and her enthusiastic encouragement of her family. She had high expectations for her children in their life choices; perhaps a somewhat less important expectation was to support her favourite hockey team: the Toronto Maple Leafs. She was superb at remembering birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and commemorated them all with a thoughtful hand-written personal note, a cake, a flower from the garden, or a cheerful phone call. She was an empathetic listener and confidante to many. Margaret lived with few regrets and thought herself fortunate indeed, to have lived most of her life in Canada, considering how different it could have been had she not moved here from the repressive Soviet Union. Margaret's and Alfred's love and commitment to each other during their 73 years of marriage has been an example and inspiration to the family. Right to the end, her face would light up at the sight of him upon his arrival to Bethania each day. Margaret was predeceased by her father Abram Neufeld, mother Elizabeth Reimer Neufeld Klassen, stepfather John P. Klassen and his second wife Gertrude Harder Klassen; siblings Lydia Neufeld (infancy), Abram Neufeld (infancy), Peter Klassen (infancy), brother Abe Klassen, sister-in-law Henrietta Klassen, and grandchild, Ruby Kroeker. Margaret will be greatly missed by her husband, Alfred, as well as her children: Mervyn (Ruth), Ron (Ruth), Elaine (Jim), Lois (Reg), Leona (Peter); her 15 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Helen Klassen (Abe), brother Jake Klassen (Nettie), brother John Klassen (Henrietta), and sister Lillian Regehr (Henry). The family is grateful to the staff of Bethania Personal Care Home for providing loving and compassionate care during her final year. A celebration of her life will be held at River East Church at 755 McLeod Ave. on Wednesday, October 29, 2014 at 11:00 o'clock a.m. Private interment has taken place. If friends desire donations may be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship available at the service.
Publish Date: Oct 27, 2014

MARGARET KROEKER On Thursday, October 23, 2014, Margaret Kroeker, beloved wife of Alfred Kroeker, of Winnipeg, and formerly of Winkler, passed away at Bethania Personal Care Home at the age of 94. She is survived by three daughters, two sons and their families. Funeral arrangements pending.
Publish Date: Oct 25, 2014

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Oct 27, 2014