Barbra Kroeker

  • Barbra Kroeker
  • Date of Passing: November 23, 2020
  • Born: April 2, 1951

Obituary

Barbra Kroeker, aged 69 years, of Steinbach, MB., passed away peacefully after a brief illness with Covid-19 on Monday, November 23, 2020, at Bethesda Regional Health Centre, Steinbach, MB.

She will be dearly missed by her husband, Jerry Kroeker, her daughter, Tracy Penner and her boys: Thomas and Alex; her daughter, Jamie Penner and husband Lawney and their three children: Claire, Grady and William; and her son Matthew Kroeker. She left behind her three siblings: Morley (Ann) Reimer, Donna Dokuchie (Steve Smallwood), Darrel (Suzanne) Reimer; Jerry’s family: Marina Reimer, sister-in-law Carol Koop, Frieda (Gerald) Friesen, Lincoln (Maryanne) Kroeker, Bob (Neitha) Kroeker, Betty (Randy) Dyck and Joella Friesen; as well as her nieces and nephews. She was also survived by her stepmother, Mary Reimer.

Barb was predeceased by her parents, Art and Mary Reimer, her parents-in-law, Jacob and Anna Kroeker, brothers-in-law: Lewis Reimer, Rodney Kroeker and Lavern Friesen; and nephews Sean Reimer and Vaughn Friesen.

Barbra was born on April 2, 1951, in the Steinbach hospital to Art and Mary Reimer. She was the second of four children. At nine days old, her family moved to Castle Point, MB., where she spent her younger years growing up until around age eight. It was here that she met her dear childhood friend, Ferna Wiebe. She had many fond memories of her “adopted” grandparents, Grandpa and Grandma Wiebe (Peter F. and Maria), who took them into their family while at Castle Point. One of her favourite activities was attending Valley View Bible Camp and sleeping in tents near Carberry, MB.

The Reimer family moved to a turkey farm in the Blumenhof area in 1960. Here Barb attended grades four to eight at the local school, and later went to the high school in Blumenort. She played piano in church and sang with her dad many Sunday mornings. She attended the Burrard Inlet Bible Institute in Port Moody, BC. Here she enjoyed singing in a trio and traveled around the area visiting local churches. This was a joyful time for Barb and she had many precious memories of the friendships she made there.

When she returned home to the Steinbach area, she began working at Penner Foods and at Penner Hardware. Later she worked with her dad at Mitchell Foods and became a co-owner with her dad for a short time.

Barb was 23 when she married the love of her life, Jerry, in March of 1974. They met and started their journey together in a youth group at the Steinbach EMC. They settled down in Mitchell, MB. It was here that she and Jerry had their two daughters, Tracy and Jamie and adopted their son, Matthew. Barb made the decision to stay at home and care for their children. Barb enjoyed taking care of her children and showed her love for them in many ways. She baked and decorated beautiful birthday cakes, sewed them clothes, played games, baked constantly and always had time for hugs and snuggles. Barb enjoyed helping in church as a Sunday School director for many years and working with the Pioneer Girls Club.

She was very creative and poured hours of time and energy into gardening. Her perennials and gardens will always be remembered by her family, friends and neighbours. Her pride and joy were her lilies. She also spent many hours making cards. She would hand out these cards to all those she thought could use encouragement or for gifts to loved ones. She also spent time cross stitching, baking, journaling and listening to gospel music.

She loved her family very much. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren and delighted in seeing them.

Barb will always be remembered for her big heart, and gentle spirit. Her creativity and encouragement was a blessing to those around her. Even in her last days, it was important for her to feel like she could help others and was blessed with the spiritual gift of encouragement. Her faith in Jesus was her rock in good days and bad.

Special thanks to the nurses in the Covid Unit for caring for our wife and mom when we could not.

Donations can be made to the Steinbach Community Outreach.

The livestreamed memorial service will be held on Friday, October 1, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB., followed by the ash interment at Heritage Cemetery, Steinbach, MB. For those that wish to attend the service please contact the family.

Funeral Details

Private Family Service

  • Birchwood Funeral Chapel
  • 162 Highway 52 W, Steinbach
  • Directions: (Google Map)
  • October 1, 2021 - 11:00 am

Arrangements

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