Vivian Lucille Kroeker

Vivian Lucile Kroeker, 99 years old, passed away July 23, 2025, at Cartier House Care Centre in Coquitlam, BC.

Vivian Offerdahl was born on June 2, 1926 in Kelowna, BC to Irving and Inez Offerdahl. Vivian grew up on the family orchard in the town of Winfield, BC where she attended public school and worked summers in the orchards and the local packing house. Vivian’s father Irving died when she was nine leaving her mother Inez to raise Vivian and younger brother Robert on her own. After high school Vivian enrolled at Saint Paul’s Hospital School of Nursing in 1945. After graduation in 1948, Vivian worked as a maternity and OR nurse in Penticton and Kelowna.

While taking a postgraduate nursing course at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Victoria, BC Vivian met her future husband, Abram Kroeker.

Vivian and Abe were married in June of 1955 and moved to Vancouver where they started a family. Vivian left nursing after their first child was born and for the next fifteen years worked as a homemaker raising their three children, Kenneth, Brian, and Ruth.

Vivian returned to nursing part time working as a home care nurse and at Cartier House in Coquitlam. Vivian was also an active volunteer with the Breast Cancer Society and Canadian Blood Services.

After their retirement Vivian and Abe travelled to Quebec and the Maritime provinces. Later they ventured on to England, France and Russia, which was Abe’s country of birth. Vivian enjoyed drawing and quilting especially for her grandchildren.

Vivian will be remembered for her spirit of generosity and kindness and will be missed.

We would like to thank the staff and administrators of Cartier Care Centre for all their kindness and care to both Vivian, and our family over the past few years.

Vivian was preceded in death by her husband Abe, father Irving, mother Inez, and brother Robert. Vivian is survived by her sons Kenneth and Brian (Katya), daughter Ruth (Chris) and grandchildren Alex, Penn, Josh and James.

The burial service will be held at the Robinson Memorial Park in Coquitlam on September 22, 2025 at 11am, followed by a memorial service at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1504 Sprice Avenue, Coquitlam at 1pm.