Our beloved Walter Kroes, age 54, went to be with the Lord March 26th, 2018. A firm believer in Christ, Walt’s strong faith, along with family and friends, carried him through a battle with brain cancer.
Walt was born in Paramount, CA and later found himself on his life’s journey in Washington. After graduating from Grandview High School, he attended Perry Technical Institute in Yakima to receive his degree in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. With his skills he was employed by TRC in Tukwila, Coca Cola in Yakima, Central Heating and Air in Yakima, and then blessed to leave his legacy at Yakima Memorial Hospital/Virginia Mason’s engineering/plant ops facility. This department set the basis of Walt’s professional success as he was awarded “Memorial Champion” not once but on two occasions. Walt was an active fisherman and enjoyed time spent in the outdoors with family and friends. While being successful in the work place and adventurous in the outdoors, his greatest accomplishment was being a loving husband and father to his wife and two sons, whom he loved to include in all his adventures.
Walt is survived by his wife Cheryl Kroes, his two sons Brandon Shaw and Matthew Kroes, his mother and step-father Mae and Wilber Timmermans, and his stepmother Barbara Kroes and kids Gary and Gail. He was blessed with an older brother Adrian, his twin brother Art and kids Weston, Sam, and Sophia, his sister Rheta and her husband Rob and kids Morgan and Colin. He was greatly loved by his mother-in-law Louise Schenk, brother-in-law Craig Schenk, as well as extended family: Edie Timmermans, Heidi and Dave Judy, Carrie Timmermans and sons Travis, Tanner, and Taylor, Clint and Renee Timmermans and kids CJ, Beathanee, and Alex, as well as numerous aunts and uncles. Walt was preceded in death by his dad, Cor Kroes.
In lieu of gifts or meals for his family, it is requested to commemorate Walt’s name and dignity by reciprocating to those in the community who have no doubt absorbed bills associated with cancer treatment. Donations to Stone Church’s Community Outreach program and/or West Valley School District’s “Compton Strong cancer fund” would be greatly appreciated.
A Celebration of Walter’s life will be held at 4 o’clock this Friday, March 30, 2018 at The Stone Church followed by a coffee gathering in the church’s foyer.
“As long as God who knows the future, provides our agenda, and goes with us as we fulfill his mission, we can have boundless hope. This does not mean we will be spared pain, sufferings, or hardship, but that God will see us through to a glorious conclusion.” Jeremiah 29:11