Obituary of Margaret Kroeker

Margaret (Margie) Kroeker, nee Eidse, passed away in the Red River Valley Lodge in Morris, Manitoba at 6:45 a.m. on June 3, 2021 at the age of 89 years, 2 months and 10 days. My dear Margie was born on March 24, 1932 in Morris, MB to Abram K. and Anna Bartel Eidse and grew up on their farm in “Rosenhoff” as the youngest of five brothers and five sisters, four of whom died in infancy. When Margie, the sturdy, deeply-tanned farm girl with alluring blue-green eyes, striking dimples and that sweet smile started coming to our Rosenhoff school, it didn’t take long for her to steal my heart. We were friends all through school, and our friendship deepened during our youth. After putting it off time and again, Margie (and I) surrendered her heart to the Lord on July 6th, 1951 during local revival meetings with Rev. Ben D. Reimer. She, and 36 youth, including myself, was baptized upon her faith by Rev. David P. Reimer and became a member of the Rosenort EMC. She faithfully followed and served her beloved friend and shepherd, Jesus, her whole life. On July 20, 1952, my lifelong sweetheart made me the happiest man in the world when we were married in our home church, with Rev. P. L. Friesen officiating. The Lord blessed us with seven children and a very loving family. When our church elected us as ministers on Oct. 21, 1956, we felt the Lord leading and confirming our call to the ministry, first as church planters in Maryfield, SK, and a few years later, as long-term missionaries to Paraguay. In July of 1963, we took our four children and moved to the “green Hell” of Paraguay, the Chaco, as missionaries under the Evangelical Mennonite Conference Board of Missions. Our youngest two sons were born in the jungles of East Paraguay some years later. Praise God, we were able to serve Him in different parts of Paraguay for almost 40 years. It was by no means easy leaving the familiar, family and friends, but Margie was a good sport, not one to complain. She was always a pillar of support, willing to work behind the scenes and pray. She was a wonderful mother to our children, making family a priority and training them up in the fear of the Lord. She had such a burden to reach the lost, and would soon turn conversations to spiritual things, truly being a witness for her Lord. Hospitality seemed to be her middle name, as she had so many opportunities to host visitors, fellow missionary staff. She always did it with a smile and such grace, making it look easy. Together, we have made 53 major moves during our marriage, plus a number of minor ones. Our last move together was to the Rose Bay apartment in Rosenort in 2014, where we enjoyed many wonderful times together, including praying daily for our children and children’s children. After she suffered from Parkinson’s disease and a bad knee for many years, it became increasingly difficult for me to take care of her by myself. In February of 2021, Margie’s health condition was such that it was no longer possible to care for her at home, so she was moved to the Morris hospital and waited for an opening in a PCH. On April 14th, she was finally able to move to the Red River Valley Lodge. As a family, we are so grateful for the caring and compassionate staff in these institutions. One of her favorite passages was the 23rd Psalm, which she recited many times in this last month. "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6 Margie was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, five sisters, and our two precious daughters; Wendy Ellen in infancy and Judith Eileen in 2017. Margie and I shared almost 69 years of married love through thick and thin, and she will be lovingly remembered by her beloved family: her son-in-law David (Judith*) Schmidt, and children Garry (Debra) Kroeker, Marjorie (Garry) Friesen, Hannah Kroeker, Christopher (Revita) Kroeker, Gregory (Lynette) Kroeker, as well as 40 grandchildren and 40 great-grandchildren. A private family funeral service will be held on Wed., June 9th, 2:30pm, at the Rosenort EMC with Pastor Ward Parkinson officiating. Interment will follow at the Rosenort EMC cemetery. Morris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements The funeral will be available to be watched on a live feed at the Rosenort EMC Youtube page: https://youtube.com/channel/UCRhJpzcfW-PNKNo61sBJCXg (enter this link into your web browser and select the video appropriately labeled) The funeral will also be available to be watched later from the link provided (when available) below. Public viewing will be held at Morris Funeral Home, Tuesday, June 8, 2021 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Margie to support the mission work of the Evangelical Mennonite Conference in East Paraguay at 440 Main St, Steinbach, MB R5G 1Z5; (204) 326-6401; www.emconference.ca/give Friends can sign the online guestbook and leave a tribute or condolences at www.morrisfuneralhome.ca - Her loving husband, Frank