ART KROEKER

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ART KROEKER

September 28, 1929 - January 21, 2026

Art Kroeker passed away at the HSC in Winnipeg on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. He was 96. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Wilma, five children and their families, and Wilma's children and their families. He was predeceased by Romelda in 1996.

Art was born in Steinbach and had a happy childhood there, surrounded by a large family, including many cousins with whom he roamed the vast Reimer department store on Main Street. They shared a large house with his maternal grandfather, who was cared for by Art's mother. His parents then built a house to the southeast of town and his father began farming. Art learned how to chore and other farm tasks and realized that his interests lay in non-agricultural directions.

His formal schooling ended with Grade 11, but he was an avid lifelong reader and learner. He took a brief teacher training course and headed north in the late 40s to teach at Norway House, a formative year for a young man, which included a canoe trip the length of the Nelson River to Hudson Bay.

Returning to Steinbach, he began a career with the JR Friesen Ford dealership, got married and became a family man. In the late 50s, he became the manager of their dealership in Morris, but in 1963, began developing a new career

as a representative with Investors Group. The rest of his professional life was with that company and included a number of years in sales management. He was committed to providing the best services for his clients and to the professional and personal development of the people he worked with.

The family moved to Winnipeg in 1965. The newly formed Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren became their church home. Art was a member there for 60 years til the end of his life. He, Romelda, and the family were both nurtured there and contributed to the life of the church in various ways.

Art's interests were varied, but two noteworthy passions were travel and history. Very often, these pursuits overlapped. He and Wilma were married in 1997, having met initially as travellers in Paraguay, where the 50th anniversary of the settlement of post-war Mennonites was being celebrated. This dual purpose travel continued for most of his life, to a number of countries where they could explore Mennonite/Anabaptist history and distant family connections. They also loved experiencing new cultures and meeting new people.

Family and Steinbach community history intrigued Art. He researched extensively, uncovering stories and retelling them for the benefit mostly of his children and grandchildren. This legacy remains with the family in a series of genealogies and anecdotal history. But, oral storytelling was his true forte, and Plautdietsch (low German), his favourite medium. He had a vast reservoir of stories, mostly humourous, drawn from his memory of characters and events over the decades of a long life. He loved to hold forth and was never boring.

Art will be remembered as a loving and supportive father, grand and great-grandfather. He was a loving and caring partner for Wilma, especially as they aged. They were determined to continue living independently and were able to, with some supports. They were models for our family in their mutual, affectionate caring.

Art lived his entire life with quiet, confident faith in the love of God and Jesus Christ, with the assurance that the love that had carried him through all his years would go with him through death. He often expressed deep gratitude for the long life he had been given, with all its joys, opportunities and challenges. He taught and showed by example that a life so blessed should create a response of giving from our personal and material resources. The family is thankful for this legacy of faith and faithfulness.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Fort Garry Mennonite Brethren, 1771 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB.

Arrangements by:

BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL CO-OP

1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030

www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.com

ART KROEKER

September 28, 1929 - January 21, 2026

Art Kroeker, aged 96 years, of Winnipeg, MB., passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB.

The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at Fort Garry Mennonite Bretheren, 1771 Pembina Hwy, Winnipeg, MB.

Memorial donations may be made to Mennonite Heritage Village, 231 PTH 12 N, Steinbach, Manitoba, R5G 1T8.

Arrangements by:

BIRCHWOOD FUNERAL CHAPEL CO-OP

1-204-346-1030 or

1-888-454-1030



www.birchwoodfuneralchapel.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 24, 2026, Jan 29, 2026