William Kruger
October 27, 1931 – January 7, 2020
William Kruger, of Saskatoon, SK passed peacefully on January 7, 2020 at the age of 88.
William was the devoted husband of Helen Kruger (nee Zacharias), the loving father of Charles Kruger (Linda), Marlene (Tim, 2019) Wiebe and Margaret (Mike) Kruger-Harder and the adoring grandfather of Nathan (Morgan), Daniel (Manjit) and Matthew (Casey) Kruger, Emily (Mike), Steve and Mike Wiebe and Richard Harder. Also survived by his sister, Edna Thiessen, sisters and brothers in law Viola Kruger, Helen Zacharias, Menno and Leona Enns, and Isaac and Loretta Zacharias.
William was also predeceased by his parents and parents in law Isaac and Justina Kruger and Isaac and Suzanna Zacharias, and brothers and brothers and sisters in law, Peter and Elizabeth Kruger, Isaac Kruger, Abe and Tina Kruger, Melita Zacharias, Werner and Elsie Zacharias and Irwin Zacharias.
Bill was a lifelong educator and pastor in Mennonite communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. His devotion to his family, the church and its educational institutions was unflagging and he will be remembered and dearly missed by many. Bill was known and loved for his abilities to connect with anyone, to mentor and inspire, to hold an audience for long theological and historical talks, to playfully lighten the mood, to sing in a beautiful operatic tenor voice and so much more that made him a uniquely gifted man.
Visitation will take place in the Fellowship Centre at Bethany Manor, 110 La Ronge Road, Saskatoon, on Friday, January 10, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. A Service in Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at Nutana Park Mennonite Church, 1701 Ruth Street East, Saskatoon, SK on Saturday, January 11 at 2:00 p.m. Cremation has taken place.
For those who wish, Bill asked that donations be made in his memory to Menno Simons Christian School, Rosthern Junior College, Westgate Mennonite Collegiate, Mennonite Collegiate Institute or Rockway Mennonite Collegiate.
Arrangements entrusted to Katrina Funk – DALMENY FUNERAL HOME 306-254-2022.
21 Comments
Uncle Bill loved life. I will miss him.
Uncle Bill (and aunt Helen) were parent and grandparent to our family.
My condolences to Helen and family. Bill was a great principal at Rockway.
Deepest sympathy to the family. Mr Kruger was my principal at Westgate(1970).
Always remembered me even from 50 years ago when he and Helen came to FMC on occasions.Fond memories.
Bill Kruger had a significant impact on the Mennonite Church. When I came to Rockway Mennonite School to begin my teaching career, I was young and grappling with what it means to be a Mennonite. Bill showed me how to be a follower of Jesus with intellectual integrity within a community of believers and I will always be grateful to him for that. I know his vision of a vibrant Mennonite Church engaged in the world had an enormous impact on many students as well. Thank you Bill for the important role you played in shaping Mennonite identity in the church and in church schools across the country.
Our family always enjoyed spending time with the Krugers. Uncle Bill always had a great story to tell. My dad and i were always amazed at his memory, the things he could remember was amazing to us. He will be missed. We are sorry we could not be there on Saturday. We extend our condolences .
Deepest sympathy to dear Helen, Charles, Marlene, Margaret and your families. I am keeping you all in my prayers during this time of great loss! Bill Kruger was a significant mentor to me as a young administrative assistant during my time at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate! Bill had a huge and positive impact in our community and Mennonite constituency.
I am so, so deeply saddened to hear of Bill’s passing, as having been laid up from the 2nd of two surgeries, I feel as if I did not get the chance to say a proper goodbye. Bill always had a smile on his face when he would visit the window at Bethany Manor. He would kabitz with me, and on many occasions have moments of deeper discussion. Something that I will always remember is when Bill would purchase something with his credit card he would supposedly quote “his” version of the message that he read from the moneris machine, which was,”return to lovely clerk”. Each time I would say, “Oh Bill” and each time the twinkle in his eye would make me blush! I also loved our conversations regarding our St. Jacobs connection. He and his family kept me connected with my old stompin’ grounds. I will certainly miss this gentle, gentle soul. My most sincere condolences and prayers for God’s peace to all of the family.
Mr. Bill, the educated brother of my neighbor friend Abe Kruger who came from faraway places like Elkhart, IN to regale with humour and stories and laughter. He showed this Old Colony boy a way of life and of faith both within and beyond the barnyard.
Bill was the first principal for both of us when we began our teaching careers at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. Though we often joked about being “held captive” by his sometimes rambling thoughts at staff meetings, we cannot think of anyone who could possibly have been a better mentor for us. It was always so great to see both Bill and Helen when they would return to Ontario to visit their kids and to attend events at Rockway. Rest in peace dear friend.
Please pass along our sincerest condolence to Helen and family. We got to know Bill and Helen quite well when they co-pastored our congregation and learned to love them dearly. Although we would love to be there and greet Helen in person we unfortunately are not able to attend the memorial service today. We will miss seeing Bill and Helen when we visit Bethany manor, and wish Helen and family God’s peace now and as they go forward.
Thank you, Bill. Rest in peace. My condolences to family members and friends. Continue to hold close your former students, as we remember your Christian teachings, low German humour, conference trip to Clearbrook, and so, so much more.
My love, hugs, and sympathy to all the family. Many great memories of Bill and Helen’s years at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. On our drive west in June 2018, Bob and I were so glad to visit with Bill and Helen.
Helen, my sincere condolences to you & your family. Bill was a special & profound person. Bill & I were lifelong friends & I have fond memories of adventures in our youth. May family, friends & memories of happy times help ease the pain of your loss.
My condolences to the whole family. Bill was my principal at Rockway Mennonite Collegiate. I remember that he told me to not come to him with a problem unless I had some idea of what the solution could be. I took this to heart. Only in my late twenties did I come to realize that sometimes it is enough to say…there is a problem. Some problems take a community to resolve or address. I am grateful for his emphasis on getting a broad and general education that has been useful to be able to adapt to changing contexts. May God comfort you as you grieve.
We were so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing. We have many fond memories of times spent together with Bill and Helen and family when they were members of Stirling Avenue Mennonite Church in Kitchener. We are also grateful for Bill’s excellent leadership as principal of Rockway Mennonite Collegiate when our children attended there. He made a point of knowing his students and always worked hard to make things work out for them. He gave generously of his time and energy. He will be missed by many.
We heard the news of Bill’s death with sadness but also with deep appreciation for the very significant contribution he made to the lives of thousands of students and hundreds of teachers over many years, and for the mentor he was to many. We extend our sincere condolences to the surviving family.
A few years back I had the pleasure of interviewing Bill for Westgate Mennonite Collegiate’s 50th history book, “Necessary Idealism”. Standard interview questions were pushed aside by his fully formed answers that were formed by decades of thinking about Mennonite education and its role in the church and wider society. I enjoyed his wit, and as current principal of WMC, his insights informed and also affirmed what I believe is important in a Mennonite school.
My condolences to Bill’s family.
I remember sitting beside Bill during a Mennonite Conference and being entertained by his constant asides – he had a quick wit that left a smile on your face for some time after. Frieda and I send our condolences to Helen and the family and wish you God’s peace.
Mr. Kruger was Bible teacher and choir director at RJC when I attended there. He had a great influence on me and I appreciated Bill and Helen coming to the reunions. It was always so good to see you both. My sincere sympathies to the family.
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