Bonnie Kroeker

Vontelle Bonnie Jean Bird Kroeker, 69, of Chouteau, Oklahoma passed away on Sunday August 11, 2013 in Tulsa, OK. She was born in Joplin, MO to W.G and Maude (Milford) Bird on July 6th, 1944, the youngest of 4 children. She attended school in Anderson, MO graduating high school in 1962. While earning her Bachelors degree in Music Education at NSU, she met her husband and soul mate Dean Kroeker. They were married on June 2, 1967 in Anderson, MO. She later returned to NSU to earn her Masters Degree. Her 40-year teaching career took her to various locations in Oklahoma and Kansas. Dean and Bonnie also spent 2 years in voluntary service in Newfoundland, Canada. In 1977, they moved back to Chouteau and worked in "Kroeker's Grocery and Dry Goods Store". Bonnie spent the last 29 years of her teaching career at Chouteau-Maize School district, focusing in vocal music k-12. She started the high school musical productions during this time and was involved in many competitions where her students where very successful. Some of her outside interests included involvement in 4-H, the OKAY Performing Troupe, craft director at church camp, teaching at Vacation Bible School, and cooking for Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) trips. She was very active in her church, Eden Mennonite, where she was involved in the music and education committees. She sang in a Trio and directed the bell and mixed choirs. Her first child, Karl Franklin, was welcomed after 8 yrs of marriage in 1975, and the family was completed in 1980 when Karenza Elizabeth was born. Bonnie was actively involved in her children's lives. The family was joined by Cheri Norsworthy (married to Karl) in 2003 and by Neil Yoder (Married to Karenza) in 2007. Bonnie retired from teaching in 2008 to become a full time granny to grandson Kaleb and later to granddaughter Kira. This brought her much joy! She took care of her mother-in-law Elizabeth Kroeker for several years after her husband Dean died in 2006. She is survived by her Son Karl and his wife Cheri Kroeker, Daughter Karenza and her husband Neil Yoder, grandchildren Kaleb and Kira Kroeker, her sister Ramona Ballantine, and many other friends and family. She is preceded in death by her husband Dean Kroeker; parents W.G and Maude Bird; and brothers Grant Milford Bird and Robert Franklin Bird. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 10:30 a.m. in the Eden Mennonite Church with Reverend David Wiens officiating. Interment will follow in the Eden Mennonite Cemetery with Neil Yoder, Karl Kroeker, Grant Pankratz, Greg Pankratz, Rodney Gantz and Chris Hardy serving as casket bearers. Honorary casket bearer is Kaleb Kroeker. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. A Memorial Fund has been set up at Chouteau Bank of Commerce in the name of Kroeker Memorial Fund. Memorials may be sent to Bank of Commerce, P.O.Box 849, Chouteau, OK 74337. Phone Number (918) 476-8317. Please specify "Kroeker Memorial Fund" on contributions. Funds wil be used to start a scholarship in Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Kroeker for a student planning to go to college to become a music teacher from the Chouteau-Mazie Public School System.To leave a personal message to her family, please see her Book of Memories at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service.

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