IRENE SADIE KROEKER

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IRENE SADIE KROEKER Peacefully on June 7, 2011, our mother slipped away. Mom was born Irene Sadie Nieman in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, April 3, 1925 and spent her early years on the family farms in Saskatchewan and in Makinak, Manitoba. Later she moved to Winnipeg, where in 1946, she married John Kroeker. Together they raised four children, Ken (Claudia), Judith (David), Eleanor (Barry) and Glen (Lucy). She enjoyed bowling and curling and was an avid fan of the Blue Bombers, being a season ticket holder for many years. When old age and infirmity made it impossible for her to attend games, she watched as much as she could on television. While their health permitted, John and Irene shared in the mission of their church in helping Winnipeg's less fortunate. Mother loved to knit, and gave many of her creations to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Predeceased by her husband in 2001, she continued to live alone until illness forced her into hospital and then into personal care. It was Concordia Place Personal Care Home which transformed her and in many ways brought her back to life. The family offers their sincere thanks to the staff for their care throughout Mother's stay. She loved visits from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and pictures of them decorated a wall of her room. Every new picture was received with great delight. In addition to her children, Mom is survived by her sister Laura, sisters-in-law Rose, Margaret, Agnes, Kay (Horst), Joanne and Gladys, brother-in-law Jacob, and by grandchildren Deanne (Michael), Melissa (Richard), Samantha, Keith, Karen (Casey) and Melanie and by great-grandchildren Preston, Matthew, Colton, Mackenzie, Mason and Rylan. On Thursday June 16, 2011 Irene's Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. in Concordia Place Personal Care Home, 1000 Molson Ave. If you knew our Mom only in her last years, it would be natural to remember her as a frail elderly woman, asleep in her wheelchair, unable to walk or to see or hear very well. Instead, we ask that you imagine Mom with her health restored, sitting on a bench in the bright summer sunshine, knitting something beautiful.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 13, 2011