Egbert (Bert) John Kroll was born to Gerrit and Grace (Meyer) Kroll on March 25, 1928 on the family farm near Colton, SD. He went to his heavenly home on October 31, 2016, at the age of 88 years, 7 months, and 6 days.

 

Bert attended country school through 8th grade, after which he worked with his father and uncle on the family farm, which he eventually purchased.  Bert met his future wife, the prettiest girl he ever saw, at a church youth group roller skating party and married Frederika Wilhemina (Willie) Van Beek on September 30, 1948. They farmed near Colton until 1977 when they moved to Edgerton, MN. Bert and Willie enjoyed almost 60 years of marriage, and Bert was lost without his sweetheart when she passed away on March 30, 2008.

 

While living in Edgerton, Bert worked for the Edgerton Co-op for one year and then at Huisken Meats in Chandler, MN for 19 years. He loved working at Huiskens and had many stories to tell from his years there driving truck and later as a handyman. In his spare time he loved gardening, helping Willie stock the pantry and freezer and feeding the neighborhood with all his produce. He also helped rebuild wheelchairs for Hope Haven Ministries for many years after retiring at age 69. For a part-time job, he loved delivering flowers for Wendy’s Flowers because everyone always loved to see him. Bert was a longtime Minnesota Twins baseball fan, often listening to the game on the radio when he was milking cows. He later enjoyed watching Timberwolves games, and in the past few years, he liked to attend Southwest Christian High School basketball games, where he claimed to have his own special seat. He had great love for his kids, grandkids and great grandkids and prayed for every one of them daily. Bert had a passion for missions and he and Willie welcomed many new people into their church and home. He served on various church and school boards over the years.

 

Bert and Willie were blessed with 9 children, 28 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren: Gary (deceased) with children Tim and Marie Kroll (Logan and Jackson), Nichole (Isabella); Roger and Marlys of Sioux Center, IA, with children Ryan and Rachel (Abigail, Ethan, and Micah), Rachelle, Melissa, Matthew; Marcella and Gary Baartman of Rock Valley, IA, with children Jennifer and fiancé Josh Rogers (Sienna, Hailey), Jason, Nathan (Bentlee), Brian and Amanda (Judah); Sherri of Sioux Falls, SD, and friend Kevin Anderson with children Sandy and Derek Mueller (Isaac, Ethan), Cody, Sharla and fiancé Joe Reinhardt (Ayden); Glenda and Henry Kraayenbrink of Sioux Center, IA, with children Kristin and Kirk De Jong (Cambree, Karsten, Cohen), Jeremy and Tami (Kayden, Payten), Korey and Brittany (Bryson); Randy and Rachel of Minneapolis, MN, with children Angela and Kevin Bachel (Levi), Valerie and Travis Van Holland (Lucas); Dennis and Rosemari Kroll of Edgerton, MN, with children Amy, Jonathan, Peter; Robert (deceased as an infant); Bethany and Austin Haywood of Catonsville, MD, with children Alessandra, Annalise, Austin, Briella, Willa (deceased), Mariana, and Mateus.

 

Bert is remembered by his brother Gerald (Adele) of Highland, Indiana and Willie’s siblings, including Gert Dykhouse, Viola (John) Brastrom, Geraldine Schmidt, Janet Clapp, and Bill (Sherry) Van Beek. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Grace Van Prooyen and Martha Schaafsma and his brother Clarence.

 

His family and friends will deeply miss Bert’s presence here on earth, but we rejoice that he has entered his eternal home and has joined his beloved wife, two sons, and granddaughter in worshiping his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.