Pants by Brother Pete
Pants
Let me tell you another story. A story of a journey that started in the most violent and tragic of ways but ended in the most beautiful and peaceful ways. In the early morning hours of 02/25/2014 a house fire took the life of my mom and started my dad on a 39 day trip without his pants. Now there is some significance to the pants or lack there of. You see my dad left the house that morning with nothing but his underwear and his socks on. Somewhere between there and his journey by both ambulance and plane to CISU in HSC Winnipeg, dad lost even those. There were many ups and downs, bumps and potholes that dad faced along the way. On 03/10/2014 dad's breathing tube came out allowing us to talk to him. Oh what a glorious day that was. To finally hear and be able to communicate with him was wonderful. Dad was struggling physically, emotionally, and as I look back somewhat spiritually as well. We his children continued the discipline that he and mom so faithfully pursued. Every morning someone would read both the bible and a rejoice devotional with him. Age and preexisting health conditions made the physical healing a long and hard journey for dad. The emotional and spiritual though seemed to be doing better. Right when dad entered the room in ICU, we his children started praying God's Spirit in to minister to his heart and soul. Sometime on 03/20/2014 dad had the first of two episodes with his heart. The next night he asked me to come see him. Even though his physical heart was starting to weaken, from that point on dad started to minister to us. Ruth spent the day with him just crying and when I saw him he was concerned about her. Telling me to watch her and care for her. He also around that time started praying himself. The Spirit of God, started healing dad emotionally and most of all spiritually. Dad loved seeing and hearing his family. (children and grandchildren) After the 20th dad started expressing his desire to go home to get up and leave. He became quite frustrated at times by that. "If only I had some pants" then I could get up and get out of here. That frustration level increased until the night of 04/01/2014 when dad summoned all his children to his bedside to pray both for and with him. He was seeking guidance and counsel on whether it was time to leave. Time to stop the train and get off to go be with his Lord. Emotionally on that day our dad was back, he started to take control of his destiny and the care he was receiving. From that day on dad was not near as compliant as he had been till that point. There was still one small problem. "I Have No Pants" On several occasions he even offered money to his nurse so that they could buy him some. (Pants that is) On wednesday 04/02/2014 I got off work abit early and showed up at the hospital with "PANTS". I bought dad underwear, socks, a shirt, shoes, a hoody, but most importantly pants. Physically dad was starting to slip. When I showed up in his room I told dad this, "Dad you now have pants and when it's time there is nothing to stop you from going home, It's Time".
Saturday morning we had devos with dad, he prayed for each of us in the room asking God to grant us a good day. He ended his prayer by starting to sing happy birthday to Gloria. The emotional and spiritual healing was now complete. Dad was now ready to go home, and guess what, he even had PANTS!!! Approximately 7 hours later, just shortly after 3pm, dad's Lord came and took his spirit home. Dad was very peaceful, and in the end simply stopped breathing.
Thank You All for the support, in so many ways, money for parking, food, the hugs, but most importantly for your prayers. Those we truly coveted the most. They brought the spiritual healing that each of us his children needed.
For Now
Brother Pete
Our Heritage by Lori Frejek
Our Heritage (complete)
By Lori Frejek
We have been given a gift,
Our Mom had a special gift.
She could make anyone feel AT HOME in her house.
She would see in you the CHILD that God created you to be, and so
She could Love you for who you were, Unconditionally.
This was the gift she gave to each of her children.
The Heritage she left for us all.
We see that gift now reflected back in each one of our siblings,
As we struggle to care and be there for Dad.
We feel Love & Hope & Joy.
Even through the heartache & turmoil & stress.
We could not do this without,
The gift that Mom gave each of us,
Our Heritage of Unconditional Love.
So now what? This is the question I ask.
Five weeks of fighting to complete the task given him,
And this is what I have seen in Dad.
While his task was living all I heard from him was,
"OK! let's go, get me up.
I've got to get on with my task. Just do it."
Then Dad heard God's Spirit saying,
"WELL DONE! Come home!"
His task was complete, and he went home,
Peacefully with no fighting.
Dad was obeying his Lord's calling one more time.
So now what? I can still hear Dad saying, "Just do it!"
We have been given,
A Heritage of Unconditional Love,
And we have been given a task,
Passing on that love to all we meet,
Just as Dad did in his life here.
Children everywhere by Wendy Richter
wendy richter 3 weeks ago
Knowing the family for 39 years I have so many incredible memories. I was 12 when I first met the whole group of Kroekers. I was good friends with Joanne and I vividly remember going in the Kroeker household for the first time. What I remember the most was when I enetered the house and there were children EVERYWHERE..lots of noise and lots of hustle and bustle. ...and there was Martha Kroeker on the couch holding the lastest edition to the family. I remember thinking she has so many children why would she want more. Then I looked at her face as she looked into the face of Wally Jr,, only a few weeks old. Her face was beaming and she was in her glory. The love could be felt. As the years passed I saw that same look of love given to all her children and later her grandchildren. To her more children and grandchildren were just more ways to show the love in her heart that was there in abundance. I was lucky to also be the recipient of that big heart. She will be missed.
Memory of Martha by Tante Toots
Toots 3 weeks ago
I was wondering which memory I should post . There so many. One of our long time memory was when Abe and I came for Christmas and our folks had company that evening so we just walked across the yard and did we ever have a great time. Bev and Ruth were just tiny .We left quite late but the next morning Esther was born.
That was only the begining of so many times and I think the only place we didn't visit you was in Fresno.Our cabin was always open and we enjoyed the many times you came to fish and just enjoy the northern air.Martha is now with her Lord and singing praises. Our prayers are with Butch and you all as a family
Renie/Irene's Story
Renie/Irene 3 weeks ago · 1 like
We've been trying to remember Mom's favourite songs and the only ones that we are sure of are the songs that she sang to babies and little kids. Songs like Heavenly Sunshine and Joy, Joy, Joy. Another thing we remember is that Mom was often singing whatever hymn, chorus or worship song was in her head or on her heart. When we talk about it we can hear her in our heads singing away the words. La, la, la, because she rarely sang the words to the song she was singing. I don't think it matters what words she sang because she was always singing to Jesus and he knew the words in her heart.
Lisa Enns 3 weeks ago
Renie, thanks for that memory, it has been so vivid and clear in my head since we talked about it. I also have a clear picture of her face that just keeps coming to mind, as clear as any photo. I can see her bustling about the kitchen making sure "our guys" have everything she thinks they need. I miss you so much mom. I love you.
Katie Kroeker's Story
My Grandma was the best. At Kroeker Camping last summer she gave us flavored water
and Reuben, a wasp stung his cheek and Grandma helped him.
She gave me a book at christmas called Martha B. Rabbit and her name was Martha so I think
that is cool.
I love this picture of me and Grandma because I can see how much she loves me in her smile.
My daddy learned how to love other people from Grandma teaching him.
Grandma and Me when I was a baby.
Amy's Story
Amy's Story
My Grandma was born in 1923 (October 27) and died February 25th, 2014 the time was 2:30 in the morning. My Grandma love to look after babies a lot and also her Grandchildren. Many people know my grandma her name was Martha. In her Family when she was little her mother had 11 kids. I don't know if shes the youngest or in the middle. When she got married She married a man whos name was Wally. Martha Kroeker had 8 kids. My mother was the scond oldest. All of my Grandma's kids got married except my mother. One of my memories I have for My Grandma is sometimes when she was looking after me She would often call me Irean because Irean is her youngest daughter and I am Mom's youngest daugher: So far its been great beening with family and friends. It is not easy to come back to a routine.
Amy's Story
The Cookie Jar Story by Doreen Hicks
Doreen Hicks about 21 hours ago
Wally and family
A little story to hopefully bring a smile to everyone at this very sad time.
I didn't know your mom personally just a Hi or Hello as we met on the street. However she touched my heart forever with her thoughtfulness at this particular time.
I'm guessing she enjoyed going to Auction Sales, as did my husbands Uncle Stan Hammond.
At one particular sale Martha spotted a large cookie jar, possibly big enough to hold enough cookies for all of her grandchildren. There was a bidding war between her & Stan, this is what he did for fun at the sales. He out bid her only to go over and give her the cookie jar.
Awhile later when Stan passed away your dad was asked to do the graveside service. Your mom was there quietly standing at the back unnoticed by anyone. When your dad finished the very appropriate service your mom appeared with the COOKIE JAR --- filled with cookies for Stan's grandchildren.Everyone was welcome to cookies but only after the grandkids were finished.
That moment told me that your mother was a very special person,who I will forever remember.
As we read the responsive reading at church on Sunday I thought of your mother.
In God's sight a person is the most precious of all values.
Every individual is inherently worthful to the Father----every child, everywhere,
of every race, of every condition.
May God Bless and Hold you all in his hands at this time.
Doreen Hicks