Warkentin, Catherine "Kaethe" Willmsen (1881-1959)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Feb 12 p. 5

Birth date: 1881 Aug 21

text of obituary:

Native of Crimea Dies at Reedley

Reedley, Calif. — Funeral services were announced for 10:00 a.m. Feb. 7 at the First Mennonite Church here for Mrs. Catherine (Wilmsen) [sic Willmsen] Warkentin, a native of the Crimea in Russia and a resident here since 1928. She died at Reedley hospital on Feb. 3 at the age of 77.

Mrs. Warkentin's long and eventful life began at Hillstadt in the Crimea. She married Isaac J. Warkentin in 1905 and they later had a large ranch near Omsk, Siberia.

During the revolution Mr. Warkentin had to flee the country and the youngest of four children died. Mrs. Warkentin and three children emigrated to Durango, Mexico in 1925, coming here three years later.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1959 Feb 19 p. 8

text of obituary:

MRS. KATHIE [sic KAETHE] WARKENTIN

Mrs. Kathe [sic Kaethe] Warkentin of 18 Cyrier Ave., Reedley, Calif., daughter of Johann and Laura Neufeld Wilmsen [sic Willmsen], was born Aug. 21, 1881, in Neuhalbstadt, South Russia, being the second oldest often children. Here she received her primary and secondary education.

She was baptized upon her confession of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior in 1898 by Elder Heinrich Dirks and became a member of the Gnadenfeld Mennonite Church. Her baptism hymn was “Rock of Ages” and Psalm 23 became her favorite portion of Scripture.

On August 6, 1905, she entered Holy wedlock with Isaac J. Warkentin, a teacher and farmer. They were married by Elder Wilhelm Neufeld. This marriage soon included some harrowing experiences. During the revolution their property was confiscated, causing the father to flee while the mother held the family of four children together despite extreme hardships. The youngest son, Erwin, age 2, died during this time.

In 1925 the family emigrated to Mexico, settling in a Mennonite community in the state of Durango. Three years later they came to the United States and settled near Reedley. Here they joined the First Mennonite Church and became citizens of our country in 1934.

This marriage was terminated when her husband, who had suffered for six years, passed away Sept. 23, 1946. Following this she managed the ranch but finally moved into Reedley in 1954.

She was a good mother, faithful and unselfishly devoted to her task. Her character provoked stability and endurance. Her crucial experiences with flight and poverty on the continent always caused her to remember the suffering of others with packages and letters. She often thought of her family in Russia whom she had left 33 years ago and had not seen since.

She was fortunate to enjoy good health until about a year ago. After suffering a stroke she was taken to the Reedley Hospital where she passed away Feb. 3, 1959.

She leaves to cherish her memory three children, Hans of Fresno, Hedwig, Mrs. Adolph Christ of Reedley, and Laura, Mrs. James Isaak of Reedley; a nephew, Ernst Rempel of Los Angeles, who for many years lived with the family as a son; seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; two sisters and one brother who are still living in Siberia, Russia.

Funeral services were conducted at 10:00 a.m. Feb. 7, 1959, at the First Mennonite Church of Reedley, Rev. Aaron J. Epp officiating. His text was Psalm 18:2. Music was furnished by a women's trio and by Adolf Christ, a grandson, who played a violin solo.