Kenneth Wayne Kroeker

Ken was born on October 21, 1939, on a farm located in Hamilton County, near the Mennonite community of Henderson, Nebraska, to Willard (Charlie) and Marie (Friesen) Kroeker. The family moved to a farm located near Aurora, NE, where Ken spent his elementary school years. After Ken’s mother passed away, the family moved to Kearney, NE, where Ken graduated from Longfellow High School and Nebraska State Teachers College, now University of Nebraska-Kearney. During his high school and college days, Ken worked at George’s Market and O.P. Skaggs grocery stores.

Ken met his future wife, Victoria (Vicki) Nemecek, while they were high school teachers. They were married on June 5, 1965, in Kearney, NE. The couple enrolled in graduate school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where they both earned degrees. Ken earned a master’s degree in accounting and finance in 1969 and a CFA (Certified Financial Analyst) designation. Ken and Victoria welcomed a daughter, Crystal, on November 15, 1979.

After receiving his master’s degree, Ken began a 17-year investment career in the Trust Investment Department at the Omaha National Bank, now US Bank, and served as Department Chairman for nine years. Ken co-founded Lawson Kroeker Investment Management, Inc. in 1986 and formally retired 31 years after starting the company. During this time, he forged strong relationships with his clients that were based on integrity and genuine care. The firm continues to operate in Omaha with second and third generation professionals.

During his career, Ken was actively involved in numerous professional and civic organizations, serving on various committees and boards, including: CFA Society of Nebraska Board, Cooper Village Board of Directors, Downtown Omaha Rotary, Downtown Rotary Foundation Board, and Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, and also served as the West Council Chairman. Ken was a long-time member of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Omaha.

Ken believed that higher education provided individuals with enhanced opportunities. He was a member of the University of Nebraska Foundation Board of Trustees and the Burnett Society; and with his wife, Victoria, endowed a beneficiary designated fund that is providing stipends to accounting and finance professors in the College of Business and Technology at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Ken lived a full and happy life, devoted to his family. He and his family traveled Interstate 80 to visit relatives in central Nebraska for holidays and family reunions for over 50 years. The family enjoyed attending Nebraska Husker football games, the College World Series and Omaha cultural events. They also traveled extensively in the U.S. and abroad. During his early career, Ken played racquet ball with his Omaha National Bank colleagues at the downtown Omaha YMCA. In later years, he played golf with long-time friends. Ken was an avid reader of a wide range of topics, but especially of biographies about famous historic figures.

After retirement, Ken and Victoria moved to Sun City Grand, in Surprise, AZ, a western suburb of Phoenix, to escape the Midwest winters. Despite the distance, the strong family and community relationships Ken left behind were always on his mind. To his family, friends, and former colleagues, he would assuredly express his heartfelt gratitude for a lifetime of exceptional memories.

Ken is survived by his wife, Victoria; daughter, Crystal (John) Reilly of Moorestown, NJ; brother, Steve (Bonnie) Kroeker of Kearney, NE; brother-in-law, Veldon (Mary Jo) Nemecek of Blue Hill, NE; two grandchildren, Edward Reilly and Charlotte Reilly of Moorestown, NJ; and nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Marian Kroeker; brother and sister-in-law, Phil (Cindy) Kroeker; and sister, Karen Kroeker.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the staff at Hospice of the Valley and the nighttime CarePros at Home Instead for their care and compassion. Private Inurnment will be at the Blue Hill Cemetery, Buss Addition, Blue Hill, NE. Memorials are suggested to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (www.michaeljfox.org – select Printed Card option) or Parkinson’s Nebraska, P.O. Box 4191, Omaha, NE 68104.