Obituary of Lucille Kroeker

KROEKER – Mrs. Lucille Elizabeth (Argue) Kroeker passed away peacefully on March 9, 2018, at the Cypress Hills Regional Hospital at the age of 95 years. She was born on December 13, 1922, in Rouleau, SK. Lucille is survived by her daughters and their families: Nancy (Al) Dyck, Jerrett (Angela), Stephen, and Alicia (Aaron) Milos; Karen (Elwood) Enns, Matthew (Whitney), and Daniel (Ashley); and Margo Dyck, Kaitlyn, Sydney, and Carly. Her two great grandchildren (Asher and Aria Enns) were the apples of her eye. She is also survived by a cousin (Kay Housely) and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Ernest (Ernie) Klos Kroeker; her parents, Howard and Legia May Argue; and her siblings: Senator Hazen Argue, and Doreen Mentiplay. Lucille grew up in Avonlea and attended school there. After high school, Lucille went to Normal School in Moose Jaw for one year and became a teacher. She taught in Regina for a number of years before moving to Swift Current to take a teaching position at Ashley Park School. It was here that Lucille met Ernie who quickly became the love of her life. Lucille and Ernie were married on October 30, 1954. She encouraged Ernie when he and a partner opened Prairie Gas in 1957. Lucille taught until after Nancy was born, and then was a teacher-on-call until shortly after the birth of Karen, when she became a full-time, stay-at-home mom. Lucille was very family-oriented and always put the welfare of her husband and children first. She ensured that each of her girls completed their Grade 10 Piano before they finished high school. In part, she accomplished this by faithfully sitting with us while we practiced until we completed Grade 8, and then helping with scales until we were finished. Lucille delivered Meals on Wheels for many years–we believe it was more than forty years– with Ernie joining her in this project after he retired. Mom baked frequently for us as we were growing up, sent baking to us in University, and became famous with her grandchildren for her ‘Grandma Buns’, pies and carrot pudding. Dad and Mom lived together in three different homes that they had built in Swift Current. They moved to Pioneer Estates behind the Co-op when it first opened and made many good friends there. After Dad’s passing, Mom remained there for another couple of years before moving into Riverview Estates. Here she found friendship, wonderful community and security. Evidence of this is the number of friends who visited her or signed the card for her during her final hospital stay. Lucille had an active Christian faith from childhood, attending both Methodist and United Churches before joining Bridgeway Community Church when her children were teenagers. Mom’s faith was highly evident in her life. We cannot remember many days when we did not see her reading her Bible and using her devotional book first thing in the morning. She cared deeply for others, often secretly doing things for those less fortunate than herself. There really are no adequate words to describe our mother–our beloved family matriarch. She was a gentle force and the most youthful and energetic 95-year-old you could imagine. She never gave up, she never complained about her circumstances, and she was always ready for an adventure. She had a mother’s heart and everything she did was about family. Mom prayed for us all, cared for us all, and knew all the details of her children’s and her grandchildren’s lives. She loved to have fun, loved to play games, and loved to gather with friends and family. Mom had a great sense of humour and her smile lit up a room; this was true even in her final hours. Her faith at the end guided her and comforted her, and she strongly felt the presence of the Lord. The Celebration of Life service for Lucille will be held on March 15th at 1:30 p.m. at Bridgeway Community Church, Pastor Bob Cappelle will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Westbank Bible Camp Box 1841 Swift Current, SK S9H 4M6 or to World Vision. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Parkside Memorial Funeral Home, Swift Current, Saskatchewan. For further information or to sign the family book of condolence, please visit parksidefuneralhome.com.