Wayne Henry Kroeker

Wayne passed away on June 16, 2021 after a courageous 13-month battle with brain cancer. He died with his family by his side. Wayne faced his cancer diagnosis like he lived his life – with grit, stubbornness, and willpower.

Wayne was born and raised in Coaldale, Alberta. He was the only son to Henry and Lydia Kroeker and had three loving and doting older sisters, Betty, Joanne, and Dorothy. He was a farm kid with a mischievous side. His charm and sense of humour generally kept him out of (too much) trouble. He spent his days driving his Dad’s grain truck (at a ridiculously young age), practicing his aim with his BB gun, and socializing, rather than studying, at school.

Wayne met Gerry in high school. He was 17. She was 16. Gerry was intrigued by Wayne’s sense of humour while Wayne appreciated Gerry’s kind heart and the fact that she laughed at all of his jokes. They fell in love and were married at the ripe old age of 20 and 19, respectively. During those early years, they enjoyed card games with friends and sneaking into football games. In total, they spent 54 and ½ years by each other’s side, bickering lovingly along the way.

Wayne and Gerry moved to St. Albert in 1974 and have called St. Albert their home ever since. Wayne attended an apprenticeship at AGT studying telecommunications and went on to have a successful 32-year career at AGT and Telus. Wayne and Gerry had two children, Lesley and Darren. Wayne was a dedicated and supportive dance dad/ski racing parent. He passed on to both kids an intense love of waterskiing and days at the lake.

Wayne was naturally coordinated and enjoyed hockey, baseball and waterskiing as a child. His love of waterskiing became a passion in the 1970s when he joined the Wizard Lake Waterski Club. His 1977 Ski Nautique was a prized possession that his son Darren still skis behind to this day. In addition to waterskiing, Wayne had a love of golf and just could not give up playing baseball. He was the pitcher for the fearless Tiger Weasels and enjoyed many Wednesday night post-game social outings with great friends from the team.

Wayne had a lifelong love of cars, especially fast ones. His favorites were his 1969 Road Runner and his 1972 Dodge Demon. He managed to win a few street races during his life, with Gerry in the passenger seat waving a green pillow to start the race.

Wayne was an inventor. You could frequently find Wayne in his garage surrounded by his many tools and gadgets. He could fix pretty much anything and seemed able to create and then build a solution for any problem. Aside from the garage, Wayne was often outdoors working in the yard and tending to his meticulously manicured lawn.

Wayne and Gerry travelled the world together in their later years, visiting Africa, Europe, South America, and Asia. A particularly special trip for Wayne was going on a safari in Kenya and Tanzania, which was a lifelong dream. He was so talented at spotting animals during the safari that he surely could have been offered a job guiding safari tours had he wanted one.

During the last 5 years of his life, Wayne experienced endless joy spending time with his two very special grandchildren, Margot and Henry. The kids had a reciprocal love and special bond with their “Papa.” During their regular Thursday visits to Grandma and Papa’s house, they loved water balloon fights, snowball flights, playing cars, and watching Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures with Papa (yes, you read that last one right).

Wayne was beyond generous of himself. He showed his love and affection by being of service to the people he cared about. He was Mr. Fix-it and would arrive at the drop of a hat to fix or take care of any issue for his family or friends. He was always willing to provide advice (whether requested or not) and he prided himself on always being right. He was not one to mince words; his ability to “tell it like it is” was uncanny. He had sayings (“Waynisms”) that he repeated like mantras. Wayne had a confidence in himself that was enviable. He was filled to the brim with personality. Life was never boring with Wayne around.

Wayne will be lovingly missed by his wife, Gerry, his children, Lesley (Graham) and Darren (Sheryl), his three sisters, Betty, Joanne (Dick), and Dorothy (Joe), and his two grandchildren, Margot and Henry.

On the Sunday after Wayne’s death, Father’s Day, we ventured out to our lake, which was Wayne’s special place. We arrived with tears in our eyes but left with smiles on our faces. We felt Wayne’s presence by our side that day, bringing us joy in our time of sadness. It is a day we will cherish forever.

Wayne – we love you. We miss you. Life will not be the same without you.

Special thanks to the St. Albert Home Care Palliative Team and the caregivers and staff at Foyer Lacombe.

Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.

As per the family’s wishes there will be no formal service and cremation has been entrusted to

Memories Funeral Home Crematorium