Benjamin Jeffery Bizimana Kroner Obituary (2025)

For those who are not able to attend his celebration of life, on Saturday, January 18, 2024, you may click on the attached link for a live recording - https://youtube.com/live/xCXqJaZPEwM?feature=share On May 23, 2010, we met our son for the first time, but we loved him long before we met. Benjamin Jeffery Bizimana Kroner was born in Kigali, Rwanda on May 23, 2008. After years of prayers and paperwork, we brought our son home on June 10, 2010. From the beginning his big eyes and bright smile captivated all who met him. Obvious from the start, Ben was intuitive, loving, happy and fun. Everywhere Ben went, he had a fan! He attended Riverside Christian School from Pre-K through fifth grade, and then transferred to East Valley Schools in Junior High. Ben was an exceptionally social kid who cherished his friends and was game for trying any activity because it involved them. Anything from water and snow sports, team or individual, he was all in. Ben particularly loved his football family, earning a Varsity letter his sophomore year. He also loved music (especially country), singing, Mexican Food, babies (and they adored him), burritos, family vacations, photography, nachos, baking (you were lucky if you had one of his chocolate chip cookies), playing cards with his family (particularly when he beat his mom), automobiles (especially trucks - his first word was "moto"), churros, Bath & Body Works lotion and candles, tacos, fashion (especially his hot pink Nike shorts paired with his silver chain and diamond stud earrings). And have we mentioned, Mexican Food? Ben's sense of humor was quick, sarcastic, and witty, even though it was sometimes inappropriate. He got great joy from scaring his grandmas and pulling pranks on his friends. This did backfire last spring when he lost a bet and had to shave his head, bald. Whether he loved it or not, Ben spent hours outside with his dad working on the yard and property. Not always without complaint (he was after all, a teenage boy), nonetheless he worked hard and willingly helped family and friends alike with any project put before him. With the exception of cleaning his room, we all have our limits. We loved Ben before we even met him because God placed him in our hearts. Ben loved Jesus, and he loved his friends and family well. He made our hearts smile. Ben entered into the arms of Jesus on January 2, 2025. He is survived by his parents, Bill and Cherri, sister, Ellie, Opa, Jeff Gunvaldson, Gramma, Virginia Steiner and a multitude of aunts, uncles, and cousins who all loved him so much. Ben loved big. Love Like Ben. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 18 at 3:00pm at SOZO Sports Complex (2200 South 36th Ave, Yakima, WA). If you are able to attend his celebration of life, please wear pink to honor Ben, the brighter the better. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Life Choices of Yakima or Sozo Sports Complex. Both places protect and promote life. Contributions may be made payable to either of these organizations, and can be sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA, 98936) who is caring for the family. Memories of Ben and condolences to the family may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.