Piter Kroeker, age 61, of Plum Coulee, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday June 30, 2021. Just as his true character, he went peacefully, with his family by his side, at Boundary Trails Health Centre in Winkler, Manitoba.
Piter is survived by his wife Anna (nee Reimer), his children John (Helen), Susie (David), Anna (Jake), Peter (Susie), and George, his grandchildren Selena (Raphael), Makayla, Claudia, Ethan, Landon, Lydia, Micah, Avery, Hannah and Reyna, 6 brothers, 4 sisters and their families. Piter was born to Gerhard and Susanna Kroeker (Nee Neufeld) of Silberfeld, Mexico, on July 9, 1959. He was the 4th eldest in a family of 12. Piter was predeceased by both of his parents, and his brother Gerhard Kroeker. We, as a family, rejoice in knowing he has been reunited with his parents and the brother he dearly missed for so many years.
Dad grew up in a small village where he began working at a young age, and he continued to be a hard worker until he was physically unable. When Dad was 18 years old, he met the love of his life Anna Reimer, and after being baptized upon the confession of his faith on May 27, 1980, they were married on October 5 of 1980. As a young couple they lived in a small community where Dad worked at the local General store for 10 years, and although they always did the best they could, they wanted a better future for our family. After much planning, in August of 1995, Dad and Mom travelled 2500 miles to move to Manitoba and start a new life. Dad started working at Winkler Canvas a few months after moving to Canada and he dedicated his life to working there. Over the years Dad learned all aspects of the business, with his focus ending up on drafting and blueprints. As his family we have often watched in awe as Dad would show us what he did for work, because although he completed school in Mexico at the age of 12, he had no formal education in English. Dad had a way of learning and figuring out life’s puzzles, seemingly without much effort. When we think of all that he accomplished in his short life, we can’t help but be so very proud. He always enjoyed his fishing trips up North and we loved hearing his adventures when he got back. Dad was especially gifted in wood working, having created many masterpieces over the years including the family dining table that would tell many stories of its own.
Dad was diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) a few years ago, and sadly it took over much of his life. It caused him to have many lengthy hospital stays, included several trips in an ambulance. One of these being in the STARS helicopter, which miraculously gave us 3 ½ more precious years with him. Dad had an unexplainable peace about his character; he never wanted to cause pain or conflict. His personality was magnetic, which often meant having a child on his lap enjoying his teasing and tickles. When we think of our home without him, our hearts are so broken, but we know that he is no longer suffering which gives us peace amongst the pain. Although Dad lost all his physical strength over time, requiring oxygen full time just to survive; he never wavered in his God given strength and spirit. He would so often be heard saying “Gott sei dank” or “Praise God”. Dad was never very vocal, he was a man of few words; but reminiscing over these last few days, we have realized just how much he said in those few words, and how much he taught us by example.
We, as a family, want to thank all the nurses and doctors at Boundary Trails Health Centre for compassionately caring for Dad when Mom could no longer do it alone. We are also so grateful for all the prayers and well wishes we have received during this difficult time. We know you will be blessed.
If you feel led to donate, we graciously ask you to donate to STARS ambulance. They may someday be a miracle for you, as they were for our family.
Dad, we miss you so much already! Thank you for giving us the tools to live our lives for God, and for always treating us with love and respect. Thank you for loving and taking care of Mom for so many years. We know you can never be replaced, but it’s our turn to take care of Mom now, and we are thankful we learned from you. We will miss your stories of “Iesht-emma” or “Back in the day”, the way you always started our table prayer, watching you play with your grandchildren and so many more things that made our house a home. We are so thankful God has given you a brand-new set of lungs that cannot be affected by sickness and that you are able to walk and talk with your Savior Jesus Christ.
Until we meet again, we love you and we will carry you in our hearts and in our memories.
Piter is survived by his wife Anna (nee Reimer), his children John (Helen), Susie (David), Anna (Jake), Peter (Susie), and George, his grandchildren Selena (Raphael), Makayla, Claudia, Ethan, Landon, Lydia, Micah, Avery, Hannah and Reyna, 6 brothers, 4 sisters and their families. Piter was born to Gerhard and Susanna Kroeker (Nee Neufeld) of Silberfeld, Mexico, on July 9, 1959. He was the 4th eldest in a family of 12. Piter was predeceased by both of his parents, and his brother Gerhard Kroeker. We, as a family, rejoice in knowing he has been reunited with his parents and the brother he dearly missed for so many years.
Dad grew up in a small village where he began working at a young age, and he continued to be a hard worker until he was physically unable. When Dad was 18 years old, he met the love of his life Anna Reimer, and after being baptized upon the confession of his faith on May 27, 1980, they were married on October 5 of 1980. As a young couple they lived in a small community where Dad worked at the local General store for 10 years, and although they always did the best they could, they wanted a better future for our family. After much planning, in August of 1995, Dad and Mom travelled 2500 miles to move to Manitoba and start a new life. Dad started working at Winkler Canvas a few months after moving to Canada and he dedicated his life to working there. Over the years Dad learned all aspects of the business, with his focus ending up on drafting and blueprints. As his family we have often watched in awe as Dad would show us what he did for work, because although he completed school in Mexico at the age of 12, he had no formal education in English. Dad had a way of learning and figuring out life’s puzzles, seemingly without much effort. When we think of all that he accomplished in his short life, we can’t help but be so very proud. He always enjoyed his fishing trips up North and we loved hearing his adventures when he got back. Dad was especially gifted in wood working, having created many masterpieces over the years including the family dining table that would tell many stories of its own.
Dad was diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder) a few years ago, and sadly it took over much of his life. It caused him to have many lengthy hospital stays, included several trips in an ambulance. One of these being in the STARS helicopter, which miraculously gave us 3 ½ more precious years with him. Dad had an unexplainable peace about his character; he never wanted to cause pain or conflict. His personality was magnetic, which often meant having a child on his lap enjoying his teasing and tickles. When we think of our home without him, our hearts are so broken, but we know that he is no longer suffering which gives us peace amongst the pain. Although Dad lost all his physical strength over time, requiring oxygen full time just to survive; he never wavered in his God given strength and spirit. He would so often be heard saying “Gott sei dank” or “Praise God”. Dad was never very vocal, he was a man of few words; but reminiscing over these last few days, we have realized just how much he said in those few words, and how much he taught us by example.
We, as a family, want to thank all the nurses and doctors at Boundary Trails Health Centre for compassionately caring for Dad when Mom could no longer do it alone. We are also so grateful for all the prayers and well wishes we have received during this difficult time. We know you will be blessed.
If you feel led to donate, we graciously ask you to donate to STARS ambulance. They may someday be a miracle for you, as they were for our family.
Dad, we miss you so much already! Thank you for giving us the tools to live our lives for God, and for always treating us with love and respect. Thank you for loving and taking care of Mom for so many years. We know you can never be replaced, but it’s our turn to take care of Mom now, and we are thankful we learned from you. We will miss your stories of “Iesht-emma” or “Back in the day”, the way you always started our table prayer, watching you play with your grandchildren and so many more things that made our house a home. We are so thankful God has given you a brand-new set of lungs that cannot be affected by sickness and that you are able to walk and talk with your Savior Jesus Christ.
Until we meet again, we love you and we will carry you in our hearts and in our memories.