Margaret "Margy" Alice Kroeker

Kroeker, Margaret (“Margy”) Alice (Franz), 103, retired nurse educator and supervisor passed away Monday June 26, 2017 at Schowalter Villa Retirement Center, Hesston, KS. Born on July 29, 1913 on a farm in Reno County, Kansas, near Buhler to Rev. John Janzen and Elizabeth Ediger Franz, her name on first birth certificate was Dorothy, however, this changed soon thereafter. The family moved to Hillsboro, KS and spent 1915-1921 there where her father taught in the Music Department and was the Choral Director at Tabor College. Trips to Chicago, IL were made where her father edited with D.B. Towner at the Moody Bible Institute a German songbook, “Zionsbider,” and participated in evangelistic services. He was known as Sänger Franze. In October 1921 the family moved to Chicago for economical and seminary attendance reasons. Here the family remained until 1937 ending in suburban Forest Park. Margaret’s education began in the Hillsboro KS elementary school, and continued at the Manierre and LaSalle grade schools in Chicago, IL. High Schools were Waller 1928-1930 and Proviso Township, Maywood IL. In 1930 she, with her sister Ella, entered Tabor College by their father’s wish. Due to the Depression years, education was interrupted with various employment, but resumed in 1933 by commuting to Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL . In September 1936, she entered Northwestern University Evanston, IL summer schools. She completed prerequisites for entry in the B.S. and R.N. programs at Northwestern University and Evanston Hospital School of Nursing. Graduation in June 1939. Additional master’s studies in nursing were at the University of Chicago 1940-1945. Margaret married Carl Kroeker after WWII on December 9, 1945 after a 1942 engagement upon Carl’s draft. Together they were blessed with three children, Calvin (1951), Glen (1953), and Karen (1956). Employment during the depression years was at Montgomery Ward and Co., Chicago, IL 1931-32 in the Comparative Research Department. Upon the closing of the department, she began housework up until September 1933. In 1939 she began staff nursing at Evanston Hospital. In 1940 to Swedish Covenant Hospital as alternating Evening and night supervisor to Sept 1942 when she became a Nursing Instructor there until June 1945. After marriage and move to Wichita, KS, she continued in that capacity at Wesley Hospital School of Nursing. In Dec 1946 to 1949 served as Acting Director at Wesley and then resumed as instructor until 1954. After the births and caring for three children until their fulltime school attendance and a Refresher Nurse Course, she resumed as Ward and Night Supervisor at Seneca Manor Nursing Homes in Prairie Homestead and Wichita, KS until 1978. The move to the farm 13 miles southwest of Wichita after the birth of her second son Glen in Feb 1954, afforded an avocation of flower, vegetable, and fruit gardening. Before and into their retirement, Margaret and Carl enjoyed travel to Europe (specifically in 1984 to Normandy France site of WWII invasion), Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and numerous USA sites. Summer vacations after harvest were often spent in Estes Park, CO during the children’s’ school years. Retirement also afforded time for membership in a five-year Bible Study Fellowship course. The genealogies of her immediate four families also became a project. Correspondence with family and friends from Sunday School and Youth Fellowship, college, and employment was kept current. Her Christian faith was the basis for her life philosophy, lifestyle, and defining life decisions. Nurtured by parents, beginning with the home “Family Altar” followed by Sunday School and youth services of the Moody Memorial Church in Chicago IL beginning in 1921. Here she was baptized and received as a member in Dec 1925 in the first Baptismal services of the new church. In 1929 the family joined the suburban German Baptist Church in Forest Park, IL. After marriage Carl and Margaret became active members in the First Baptist Church in Wichita, KS, lasting until the end of their lives. During years at Schowalter Villa Retirement Center they attended Hesston Mennonite Church. Carl and Margaret moved to the Schowalter Villa in 1996 and lived for 9 years in independent living. When Carl started to fall, they moved to health care and Margaret moved to assisted living. Preceded in death are her parents, twin sister and brother Walter and Lydia (1920), brother John (1989), son Glen (1978), sister Ella (2005), husband of 61+ years Carl (2007), sister Esther (2014), and son Calvin (2015). Survivors: Daughter Karen Kroeker, Daughter-in-law Deanna Kroeker, daughter-in-law Peggy (Paul) West; with granddaughters Faith (David) Kroeker-Maus, Charity (Ray) Kroeker Calubayan, Kelly (Carley) Hamilton, Sara Hiskett; and great-grandchildren Logan, Maggie, and Lake Hamilton and Cole Hiskett. Services: Schowalter Villa Hesston, viewing at 9:00am service at 10:00am on Friday June 30, 2017 with graveside service to follow at Buhler, KS East (Ebenezer Cemetery). Memorials may be sent to the Lamb Center/Homeless Shelter or First Baptist Church, Wichita, both in care of Miller-Ott Funeral Home, Hesston.

Margaret "Margy" Alice Kroeker

July 29, 1913 - June 26, 2017