LYDIA KROEKER

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LYDIA KROEKER Lydia Kroeker (Hamm) passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 15, 2013 in the care of Dauphin Personal Care Home. She was born December 12, 1925 in Altona, Manitoba. Shortly after, she moved with her parents, Martin and Anna Hamm, to a farm near Elie, Manitoba. The family was large: Martin (Anne), Henry (Helen), John, Lydia, Victor (Connie), Mary (Art Wiebe), Cornie (Linda), Dave (Tena), Martha (Wally Kroeker), Annie, and Jake (Elsie), 11 children grew up on that farm. Lydia learned the skills necessary to cook, bake, keep the house, garden, preserve produce, and helped with the barnyard chores assisting her parents with the large brood. She attended Newton Mennonite Brethren Church. After completing primary and secondary education in the Glengarry School, Lydia did a number of things including: worked in Winnipeg as domestic help, attended Normal School, taught at Waldhiem Hutterite Colony, and, having a sense of adventure, she followed an aunt and uncle to California for a winter. Returning home, she attended Winkler Bible School. Here, she met the person who would be her lifelong love, partner, and best friend, Peter Kroeker. Peter and Lydia were married September 12, 1949. They moved to a farm that Peter owned near Elm Creek. She raised six children: Harold (Valerie Dyck), Loreen (Donald Husband), Ernest (Nicole Robbins), Anne (Greg Trepanier), Michael (Erin Ferris), and Ron (Joanna Karman). The skills learned as a young girl were never lost; she was a great cook, renowned baker, grew a huge garden, and ran a flock of chickens to sustain her family. She insisted on the highest standard of cleanliness and order in everything she did. She attended Elm Creek Mennonite Brethren Church. She was active in women's groups and a Sunday School teacher. Her 12 grandchildren can all attest to her sincere love of and focus on the development of values in young children. She loved to play farm, have a tea party, read books, play board games, and spend time with her grandchildren. Five great-grandchildren missed her influence, but felt her love. A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, June 29 beginning 10:30 a.m. at Friend's Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg. A light lunch and social time will follow immediately. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The St. Boniface Hospital Foundation.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2013