Phyllis Mae Kroeker

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Phyllis on Sunday December 15, 2024, at the age of 89 years. She was the much loved wife of our father, Frank for over 71 years. She was the loving mother of six children, grandmother of 11 grandchildren and great grandmother of 22. She blessed and inspired many people over her life through her generosity, compassion, creativity, her Christian faith and her prayers. She was very friendly and loved to chat with everyone. 

She was an incredibly talented and prolific knitter, crocheter, seamstress and quilter. Every year for the past decade or so she sewed 100 girls’ dresses and over 50 boys’ shirts and knitted clothes and blankets for little dolls, all of which she donated to Samaritan’s Purse for needy children around the world. She also knitted socks, hats and mittens for Calgary’s homeless and baby clothes and blankets for needy young moms. Every one of her grandchildren received a quilt she made with love especially for them. Even to her last days she was busy knitting a touque as a gift for a person she met in the hospital. 

Phyllis was born on March 30, 1935 in Port Arthur Ontario to Arthur and Grace (nee Hunt) Bendell. She was the eldest of three and much loved by her late sister Mary Hutchings and her brother Ted Bendell. 

Phyllis studied home economics in her teens. At 17 she met her beloved husband, Frank and they were married a year later in 1953 at First Baptist Church in Calgary. For more than half a century, Phyllis was the administrator for Frank’s successful construction company, along with being a devoted mom, cook, baker, homemaker and seamstress for her family. At age 65 she took on a new adventure as a floral designer, which she did for a few years. Frank and Phyllis had many camping and travel adventures over their lives, including a trip to Ecuador to visit Frank’s brother, a trip to England to visit Phyllis’ cousins and several Hawaii vacations. 

Phyllis and Frank were very involved in and life-long members of the First Evangelical Free Church in Calgary. Her faith in and love for Jesus was a very important part of her life and the source of her strength, hope and joy even in the challenging times of her life. While she suffered much illness, she never stopped loving God and sharing her love and faith with others. 

Phyllis is dearly missed by her beloved husband, Frank and her six children, Caroline Flynn, Daryl (Tamara) Kroeker, Marlene Parsons, Larry (Chey) Kroeker, Kevin (Karen) Kroeker, April (Ron) Clowes. She is also dearly missed and loved by her grandchildren (Stephen, Charisa, Scott, Ryan, Rick, Sharina, Chad, Nathan and Owen) along with her 22 great grandchildren. 

Phyllis is now in Jesus’ loving arms and is reunited with her late sister Mary Hutchings and her late son-in-law Tony Peters. 

As a family, we are truly thankful for the tender and compassionate care our mom received from her Home Instead and AHS caregivers and from the team of healthcare assistants, nurses, doctors and housekeeping staff at Rockyview Hospital, unit 59. Thank you for loving and caring for our mom! 

A Celebration of Phyllis’ Life will be held on Saturday January 18, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the First Evangelical Free Church. 732 55th Ave (at Elbow Dr) SW, Calgary. 

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to make a donation in Phyllis’ honour to Samaritans Purse. Please call 1-800-663-6500, ask to speak with Donations and let them know you would like to donate in her honour. Or you can send a cheque with a note indicating that the donation is in Phyllis Kroeker’s honour to:

Samaritan’s Purse Canada

20 Hopewell Way NE, 

Calgary, AB T3J 5H5

May we continue to be inspired by our mom to “Let your light shine before others so they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)