Jakob Kroeker

Obituary

We are saddened to announce the passing of Jakob Kroeker on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at St. Boniface Hospital, Winnipeg, MB.

Jake was born November 7, 1934 in Neuendorf, Chortitiza Colony in the former U.S.S.R. now Ukraine. He was the second born son of Jakob and Anna Kroeker nee Wiebe. The first born son having died at nine months of age, Jakob became the eldest child upon his birth.

Jakob and his family fled the Russian Communists in October 1943 westward on train, horse drawn wagons and on foot. He endured much hardship, both physical and emotional, during the trek and refugee years. The Kroeker family arrived in Canada by ship in 1948. They settled in Steinbach, Manitoba receiving help from Klassen and Neufeld families who had settled in Canada decades earlier.

Jake was baptized into the Mennonite Church on June 6th, 1954 and on June 30th, 1957, he married Margaret Vogt, daughter of his boss Abram Vogt. They had four children.

He is survived by his wife Margaret, his children, Lori (Phillip) Klassen, Caroline, Diana, and Karl Heinz (Chi), and grandchildren, Natasha (Andrew Hector) Klassen, Jacquelyn (Christian) Lacko, Robert Klassen, Andrew, Heidi, William, and John Kroeker. He is also survived by siblings Anne Klassen, Ike (Elsie), Katie, Mary (Eric) Rempel, Henry (Penny), Irma, Frieda (Howard) Doerksen, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jake was a hard worker. Upon marriage he took over his father-in-law’s grocery store and operated Vogt’s IGA on Steinbach’s Main Street until 1979. Being owner, manager and worker meant he rarely had time off but because our residence was attached to the store, we children had ready access to our Dad. He taught us many aspects of the grocery business such as sorting empty drink bottles, pricing items and stocking shelves, grinding hamburger, taking stock of inventory and most of all that the customer was always right. He extended credit to many of his customers and he had a good relationship with them. In 1979 he moved his family to Winnipeg and worked for Travelers Insurance and later owned his own insurance company, Kroeker and Thiessen Insurance on Ness Avenue, together with his brother-in-law Peter J. Thiessen. He retired from this business in 2013 at the age of 78.

In Winnipeg he and his family attended First Mennonite Church where Jake made many good friends and particularly enjoyed the choir.

Jake was a generous host of countless parties and barbecues and was known for having a generous pour. He enjoyed playing chess and pool, watching sports, reading about history, politics, biographies and German poetry. He was always informed about current events and enjoyed discussing them with others.

He was a member of the German Club where he liked to play chess and pool and volunteering at the German Pavilion for many Folklorama seasons.

In the last years he and Margaret resided at Concordia Village. Here, he continued to play pool and chess and went for daily walks.

Jake enjoyed all his grandchildren and was looking forward to celebrating his 90th birthday with them.

The family wishes to thank Prime Health Services for providing compassionate care to Jake in his last months.

The come & go viewing will be held on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Friends Funeral Service, 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg, MB.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at First Mennonite Church of Winnipeg, 922 Notre Dame Avenue, Winnipeg, MB.

The interment will take place at Brookside Cemetery, Winnipeg, MB.

“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted” ~ Matthew 5:4

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