April 22, 2020
1926-2020 ~ Nick George Kroeker, returned to his heavenly home on April 22, 2020 at the age of 94.
Nick was born in Provost, Alberta, in 1926, to George and Maria Kroeker. In 1943, Nick's family moved to BC. In 1946, he met Kay Thiessen at the Yarrow Mennonite Conference Church. They courted for 2 years and were married in 1949. Nick and Kay raised their three children on a dairy farm on Sumas Prairie and later moved to Abbotsford, BC in 1970. Central Heights Church became their home congregation and Nick remained an active member there until his death. Nick worked for Royal Flex-Lox Pipe Limited for 39 years until retirement. He remained active as a volunteer at the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) for over 25 years as well as at the Garden Park until February of this year. Nick loved to sing and he sang with the Men of Song chorus, then later with the Abbotsford Male Chorus. He sang with a quartet at the Menno Home on Sundays for many years.
Nick is predeceased by his beloved wife, Kay in 2004; his parents, and several of his brothers and sisters. He is survived by his three children, Diane (John) Petkau, Gary Kroeker, and Marlene (Gary) Dirksen; six grandchildren, Jennifer (Gerald) Dyck, Carmen (Douglas) Howe, Leanne (Steve) Dorman, Lauren (Thad) Williams, Katelin Dirksen and Brayden Dirksen; and 11 great grandchildren.
Our heartfelt thanks to the nurses and staff at ARH for their care and compassion to Nick during his final days.
A small family service was held on May 1, 2020. Donations in Nick's memory can be made to The Gideons, P.O. Box 3619, Guelph, ON N1H 7A2.