Aurelia Kroeker

Mom leaves for the time being her six children, twenty grandchildren and thirty-three great grandchildren; Mark and wife Frances, Steven (Andrea; Alex, Norah), Brian (Sarah; Lynsey, Adam, Nathan), Michael (Andrea; Nathaniel); Roy and wife Viola, Kristopher, (Andrea; Seth, Owen, Judah, Aaron), John (Amanda; Sarah, Emma), Alison, (Kolton, Ryder), Timothy (Andrea); Terry and wife Marilyn, Duke (Melanie; Taryn, Lucas, Andrew), Bobbi Jane (Jeremy; Gavin, Galen, Olivia, Brooklyn); Zane; Wendell and wife Rita, Matthew (Kirsten; Haley, Annika), Dalen (Bonnie; Capri, Chase),Tyson (Diane; Karen, Aurelia(Rhea), Todd, Lee); Amy; Debbie and husband Brad, Evan (Renita; Demi) Travis (Larissa; Kee-Leigh, Harlow, Lennex), Nicolas ( Alyssa), Kurt (Janelle), Dennis and wife Linda, Trent, Lucas.

Mom was predeceased by her parents, Jacob and Maria Peters and step-mother,Tina, husband Menno, grandson Joshua, great-grandson Kevin, (in infancy), sisters Tina Reimer and Marie Neufeld, step-sister Irene Braun, and brothers Henry Peters and Edmar Peters (in infancy).

Mom married Dad, Menno Kroeker on July 24, 1949. She was a pastor’s wife for many years. Together they served in Portage la Prairie, Kola, Riverton, Macgregor, Tabor, Alberta, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico, and back in Riverton until retirement. She loved people and was always very hospitable to the many people who came through the door of their home. Young and old counted her as their friend. Mom seemed to find a “special” friend in each community they lived – someone who needed her loving acceptance, friendship and acts of kindness; people like Jerry Rose and Mary Matsko to name a couple.

Mom taught Sunday school for many years and sang for a time in a double trio. She enjoyed sewing and handwork. Gardening was a joy to mom and kept her active until this past summer, when the cancer didn't allow her to do any planting. Doing the jumble, cryptogram, and crossword in her daily Free Press newspaper kept her mind active. She also spent hours playing Scrabble and doing puzzles with any and all who would join her. The Thrift shop will miss having her “test” all the donated puzzles. She also loved to read – her Bible and many, many novels.

Aurelia got arthritis at the age of 14 and was very handicapped for several years. The arthritis went into remission but she had several serious flare ups when her children were young. Over the years she experienced a lot of pain and became quite crippled. However, due to a determination not to become an invalid she managed to stay quite active.

Mom loved her family dearly. She thoroughly enjoyed all the visits from her grandchildren and great grandchildren and was thrilled to have a great-granddaughter named after her. Her brown bread, cinnamon rolls, bran muffins and butterscotch chip cookies were a hit with everyone.

One of Aurelia’s mottos in life was to “ Be kind to everyone. Everyone is fighting a battle.”

The family would like to give a special thank you to Dr. S. V. Patel and the amazing nursing team at the Gimli Hospital. Their acts of kindness were not unnoticed and are much appreciated. As well, thanks to our many friends who lifted us in prayer, brought meals and flowers during the last few weeks. We would also like to thank the Mennville EMC ladies for the family lunch and the Riverton Gospel Chapel ladies for preparing the funeral faspa.

Donations may be made to EMC Missions – always close to both Dad & Mom’s heart. Mom never failed to pray daily for the missionaries on the EMC prayer calendar.