In Loving Memory of

BERNARD MICHAEL KROISS

10/31/1956 – 10/27/2024

On October 27, 2024, lifelong Colville resident Bernard Michael Kroiss passed away peacefully at home at the age of 67. Bernie was born in Colville, WA, on October 31, 1956, to Henry Anthony Kroiss and Myrtle May (McGrath), and was the 9th of 11 children. Growing up on the family farm, Bernie developed a strong work ethic from a very young age, doing farm chores, milking cows, working in the garden, building fences, and caring for livestock.

As a spirited youth, Bernie never found himself without an adventure, and his siblings never found themselves without entertainment. He was often the center of whatever was going on and occasionally found himself in the middle of circumstances, that would later become a favorite family story. His siblings enjoyed his sense of humor and his ability to make everyone smile. To this day, they cannot recall a time around the dinner table when Bernie did not have them all laughing.

Bernie's love of God began with his family's faithfulness in attending weekly church services and praying together around the dinner table. Bernie's faith continued to grow throughout his life. He was very close to his church family and attending church and weekly Bible study was important to him.

As a teenager, Bernie was active in 4-H and showed livestock at the Colville Fair. In 1975, he graduated from Colville High School as a 12-year senior. After high school, Bernie continued working on the family farm.

In 1977, Bernie married Marilyn Dotts. Their family soon grew with the birth of their first daughter, Trina, in 1978; their second daughter, Katie, in 1982; and their son, Chad, in 1983. Although they eventually parted ways, they both stayed in the area and continued to raise their children.

As a young adult, Bernie came to love the sport of racquetball and found he was quite good at it. While he enjoyed playing in tournaments throughout the Northwest, he especially cherished the time spent with close friends at the Colville Racquetball Club, where they battled it out in their morning matches.

Bernie loved where he grew up. He enjoyed farming the valley, hunting the mountains, and fishing the lakes and rivers. He also enjoyed recreational boating, water skiing, camping, long mountain drives, picking huckleberries, and watching lightning storms.

While Bernie loved fishing the Upper Columbia, his favorite was the Snake and Clearwater Rivers! Every January, packed and ready to go, he intently watched the fish numbers. Until suddenly, Bern would announce "THE FISH ARE BITING!" He would leave as soon as he could and would often stay for over a month. Friends and family loved to rotate through as they got a chance to join him in fishing for steelhead.

Throughout his life, Bernie never stopped farming. Although he did cut back while working at Alcoa for nearly 20 years until the plant closed. He then started an excavation business he called "Soggy Bottom." After nearly 20 years of excavation work, Bernie's health began to decline. At that point, he began transitioning the farming and excavation business to his son, Chad. During this transition, Bernie continued to farm in whatever capacity he could, and by the end, he had finally reached the role of supervisor.

Later in life, Bernie was blessed to find a companion who shared his love for Jesus, Roxanne Park. He and Roxie enjoyed attending church, studying God's Word, and spending quality time together. Throughout Bernie's final years, Roxie was by his side, offering unwavering support and love. They shared a deep bond and loved each other very much.

Bernie was a great dad, brother, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle, and friend. If you were Bernie's friend, you were his friend for life, and he would do anything for you.

Bernie was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Myrtle Kroiss, and his siblings, Patricia Antuna, Dennis Kroiss, and Kathleen "Kit" Groh.

He is survived by his three children: Trina Foust (Coby) of Colville, WA; Katie Williams (Gabe) of Bend, OR; and Chad Kroiss (Jana) of Colville, WA; his grandchildren: Kamber, Clayton, Jackson, Makena, Ansoldo, and Merritt; his great-grandson, Owen; his brothers: Andy Kroiss (Bobbi) of Colville, WA; Chuck Kroiss (Patti) of Kettle Falls, WA; Rick Kroiss (Linda) of Addy, WA; his sisters: Cecilia Antuna (Jim) of Morgan Hill, CA; Helen Burgess (Marvin) of Colville, WA; Cheryl Lentz (Don) of Colville, WA; Theresa Fuhrman (Steve) of Kettle Falls, WA; his companion and dear friend, Roxanne Park of Colville, WA; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 25, 2024, at the Ag-Trade Center in Colville, WA. A graveside service and niche placement will follow at Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville. After the graveside service, family and friends are invited to return to the Ag-Trade Center to share a meal and memories.

Memorial contributions may be given to the American Kidney Foundation and/or Grace Bible Church in Colville.