GORDON (BRUCE) KROEKER

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GORDON (BRUCE) KROEKER February 17, 1941 - May 1, 2013 Gordon was born in Rosenort, Manitoba to Jake and Annie Kroeker in 1941 and grew up with his brother Eldon and sister Esther. He attended Steinbach Bible College where he met Anita. They married in 1964 and had their first child, Carolynn in 1967. He earned a degree in Social Work from the University of Manitoba in 1970. Their son, Cameron was born to them in 1973. After many years employed as a Social Worker in Services to Seniors he continued with many years of volunteer service. His dedication and faithful service to various organizations included Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Ten Thousand Villages, Habitat for Humanity, MCC Thrift Store, and the SOOP program (MCC) for three stints in Arizona and three in Pennsylvania. He also served on the board of Youth For Christ, Good Neighbours Retirement Centre, Bethania, was the coordinator of Abundant Springs; an Evangelical Mennonite Church (EMC) bi-annual youth conference from 1983 until early 2000. Gordon was a faithful member of Braeside EMC for most of his life where he was moderator, on various committees and youth sponsor during his earlier years. Gordon will be deeply appreciated for his dedication to his family, both immediate and extended. He dearly loved his grandchildren Ashley, Joshua, Angela and Andrew. He enjoyed lots of time with them during visits, annual trips to Gimli, going out to restaurants where he loved to joke with the servers and was sure to never forget birthdays and every other celebration. His unique way of singing "Happy Birthday to you" was a trademark tradition of the family. Traveling was a big part of his life as well. He loved to plan family trips to the West Coast or to southern states until later where he traveled further from home to many different countries with Anita including South Africa, on many occasions to Europe and to extended visits with his son and daughter in both Ukraine and Germany. Gordon's love for hiking, nature, photography and friendship was evident as he went on an annual hiking trip to the Canadian Rockies with his long-time friends; a group they named "The Alpine Quartet". Last summer he traveled with his son, Cam for what would be his last hiking trip to Glacier National Park. Although he often apologized that he couldn't keep the pace that he would have liked, he hiked over 20 miles with only one functional lung. Only now does the family recognize what a gift from God it was for father and son to be able to enjoy that very special trip. In the past few years, Gordon had to endure many health complications and multiple surgeries which he always strived to meet with perseverance, faith and trust in his Lord. In all of this, he never gave up until he was suddenly taken after a few rounds of chemotherapy treatments in a battle against Mesothelioma. His family would have loved to see Gordon experience even just a few more years of health, but are grateful that his fight against cancer was fairly brief. A viewing will be held at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street (without a formal program) on Monday, May 6 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. as well as a memorial service at Braeside Evangelical Mennonite Church, 1011 Munroe Avenue, on Tuesday, May 7 at 1:30 p.m. Interment prior to the service at 11:00 a.m. at Glen Eden Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Youth for Christ or Mennonite Central Committee. Gordon's wife Anita, son and daughter-in-law, Cam and Corrina, daughter and son-in-law Carolynn and Chris along with grandchildren and brothers and sisters-in-law will miss him deeply. We remember his unique sense of humour, his leadership in family and church matters, his example of servanthood, dedication and service to the work of the church and to others. Most of all, we will not forget his integrity as a spouse, father, uncle and grandfather.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 04, 2013