International program experiences two deaths

Staff and students of the Canadian Mennonite University experienced shock and great sadness to learn of a recent tragedy involving two fatalities.

Diane Kroeker

Diane Kroeker of Winnipeg and Walter Goertz of Richmond, B.C., drowned Sunday, February 29 while swimming in the Pacific Ocean, during a travel tour to Guatemala. They were near Coatepeque, on the coast of Guatemala. According to witnesses, a strong undertow pulled Kroeker and Goertz under the water. They were rescued, but resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful.

Canadian Mennonite University President Gerald Gerbrandt called it a deep tragedy for both the families and for CMU.

“Our entire community at CMU is in deep shock and grief over this terrible tragedy. We will deeply miss Diane and her major contribution to the Outtatown program. We are also deeply saddened with the passing of Walter, given his long friendship and association with CMU.”

Diane Kroeker, 60, was the tour administrator and also served as the administrator for the Outtatown program (formerly School of Discipleship). She is survived by her husband Irvin, who was present on the tour, and three grown daughters.

“She was a very special person here,” Gerbrandt said. “Diane was the kind of person who added colour and life to every setting.”

Walter Goertz, 77, was a tour participant and is survived by his wife, Anne, who was also present on the tour.

They were part of the Adventure for the Soul Adult Tour, a program for those aged 30 and older, organized by the Outtatown program of Canadian Mennonite University. The group was midway through a two-week tour to Guatemala to study local history and work with local churches on service projects.

With Irvin’s blessing, the tour agreed to continue the trip to honour the work Diane did to arrange it.

—CMU release, Winnipeg Free Press