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ED KROEGER Edwin “Ed” Kroeger, beloved brother, brother-in-law and uncle, passed away Saturday, August 9, 2014 at Riverdale Personal Care Home in Rivers. Ed was born on October 27, 1930 to Gerhard “George” and Katherina (nee Unger) Kroeger; he was the fourth of 11 children. It was difficult labour with only his father and a neighbour lady in attendance. Ed was born with the umbilical cord around his neck and this lack of oxygen at birth left him with a certain degree of mental handicap and stammer or stutter. Despite his start in life and the lack of formal education, Ed had many well-developed abilities. Ed was bilingual. He spoke Low German with his parents and English to everyone else. He had an excellent memory, a vivid imagination and an innate kindness that endeared him to his family. Ed, like all his family, developed a deep love and appreciation for music. He learned to play guitar and surprisingly, when he sang, he didn’t stut er at all. Over the years, Ed amassed a large collection of records, apes and CDs of mainly country music artists, that he loved to listen , and often tried to emulate. When asked to play something. Ed’s signature song was You Are My Sunshine. n his early years, Ed was productive on the family farm, complet ing chores that were appropriate to his age and abilities. He did everything from picking berries, feeding chickens, collecting eggs, planting and weeding the garden to leading horses, fetching in cows, stocking sheaves in the field and mowing grass. In 1974 Ed began a more formal vacation at Rolling Dale Workshop in Cardale, Manitoba. With the exception of a brief period when Ed lived with his stepsisters, Rita and Kathy, then Mary in Alberta, he participated in Rolling Dale’s program for almost 20 years. He continued with the organization when they moved to Rivers and were renamed Rolling Dale Enterprises. While at Rolling Dale, Ed was involved in many projects including potatoe planting, working in the greenhouse, painting ceramics, build ing picnic tables, refinishing furniture and the recycling program. Rolling Dale also provided a fun social environment for developing fiendships, as well as opportunities for outings and road trips that exposed Ed to new experiences. There were numerous dances, variety concerts, Halloween, birthday and Christmas parties that Ed participated in. He also entered artwork and crafts in the local air and competitions and won prizes. Ed enjoyed the Brandon Air Show, day trips to Clear Lake and attending concerts. The ultimate adventure was their bus trip to Branson, Missouri. Ed attended Roll ing Dale until May 2009 when issues with limited mobility resulted in a move to Riverdale Personal Care Home Ed loved the Wheat Kings and going to their games. A special mo ment was having his picture taken with Wheat Kings team mem bers. Ed was always active. He tried horseback riding, bowling and snowshoeing. He loved riding his bike everywhere and continued a ride his three-wheel bike well into his seventies. Family gatherings were special times for Ed. He was a great favourite of all his young nieces and nephews. He would entertain them with his guitar and singing, and he would join in all their games with great enthusiasm. Ed grew up in a family with strong faith and he carried hat love for God his entire life. Ed and his friend Sandy often played at the annual church Christmas concert, and sometimes during regular church services. He attended Rivers Baptist Church regularly up until two months ago when ill health prevented him from going. Ed is survived by sisters Helen Krahn, Katie (Bill) Enns, Margaret Joeger, Hertha Martens and Marion Johnson; brothers George (Katie) Kroeger, Henry (Selma) Kroeger, John (Mavis) Kroeger and Jacob (Lynn) Kroeger, and numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, as well as stepsiblings. He was predeceased by his parents, Gerhard and Katherina Kroeger, stepmother Liz (Friesen) Kroeger, brother Peter Kroeger, sister in-law Helen Kroeger, brothers-in-law Tom Johnson, John Krahn and Eric Martens. Funeral service was held at Rivers Baptist Church on Thursday, August 14, 2014 with Pastor Wil Warkentin officiating. Pallbearers were Howard Kroeger, Larry Krahn, Garry Kroeger, Bill Kroeger, Dale Kroeger and Tyson Kroeger. Honorary bearers were all staff and clients of Rolling Dale Enterprises. Interment followed at Rivers Mennonite Cemetery. Donations in memory of Ed may be made . Rolling Dale Enterprises Inc., Box 327, Rivers, ME ROK 1X0. Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.memorieschapel. com. Arrangements with Memories Chapel Pre-Planning Centre, 204-727-0330.
Newspaper Details
Rivers Banner
Rivers, Manitoba, CA
Fri, Aug 22, 2014
Page 11
Full Page
Clipped by
James W.
CA 24 Jun 2026
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