KROPP, Arthur George
December 25, 1929 – March 4, 2013
Art was born in Gull Lake, SK, the second of 6 children born to Johann &
Margaretha (Rempel) Kropp. They were Mennonite immigrants from Russia. When Art was 16, his family moved to the Fraser Valley, purchasing a dairy farm in the Chilliwack area. The family attended the East Chilliwack Mennonite
Church, where he first met the love of his life. In 1954 Art & Margaret (Peters) were married. In their journey together, they became parents to 5
children: David, Joyce (Del) Penner, Gilbert (Carol), Karen and Steve (Marianne). In 1960 they left Chilliwack and moved their young family to northern BC, where they were involved
in church ministry for 7 years. Moving back to Chilliwack, Art and his brother-in-law began a construction company.
For the next 25 years he built
residential homes, keeping his sons busy during their breaks from school. During this time he was also heavily involved at his church, volunteering wherever he was needed, including
20 years as their Assistant Pastor. As their kids became independent, Art & Margaret did some traveling, including
3 extended trips to Kenya to visit Joyce & Del and their family. After a battle with cancer, Margaret passed away in 1999. Art was lost without his
wife, but slowly got on with his
life after being reminded repeatedly
that he still had some big responsibilities as a parent and grandparent. He enjoyed these times together with his family and took an active role in keeping us all together. He also really enjoyed his volunteer
work at Camp Squeah and the Chilliwack MCC Store. In 2006 he sold the family home and purchased a smaller townhouse
in the Redwood Villa complex, next to his church. He enjoyed this setting, however his health began to fail
and in 2010 he made one more move, to the Menno Home in Abbotsford. Art is survived by his 5 children and their spouses, 9 grandchildren and some
spouses, 2 great grandchildren, his siblings John, Ruth (Jake) Schellenberg, Mary (Art) Zacharias, Don (Judy) and brother-in-law George Dyck,
as well as numerous nieces and
nephews. He was also survived by his wife’s side of the family, the Peters Clan. Predeceased by his parents, his wife Margaret, his sister Dorothy and
sister-in-law Lydia. We wish to thank the wonderful staff at the Menno Hospital (East 1) for the great care they gave our dad for the final 2 years of his life. The Celebration of his
Life will be held on Saturday, March 9th, at 2:00 PM, at the Eden Mennonite Church in Chilliwack. A viewing to be
held at the Eden Mennonite Church on Friday evening, March 8th, from 7:00 – 8:00. In lieu of flowers, donations can
be made to The Gideons.