Warkentin, Helen (1887-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 Oct 03 p. 30

Birth date: 1887 Nov 05

text of obituary:

HELEN L. WARKENTIN

Others, dear Lord, others, / Let this my motto be / Lord, let me live for others, / That I may live for Thee./

These line best characterize Helen Warkentin.

She was born on November 25, 1887, at Hoffnungsfeld, near Winkler, Man. to the ate Rev. John and Sarah (nee Loewen) Warkentin.

She accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour at age 15. Two years later, July 17, 1904, she was baptized and accepted into the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church, where he has been a faithful member for 71 years.

She attended Normal School in Manitou and also spent a year at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago.

In December 1919, she left for her first term in India. She was stationed at Deverakonda, as teacher and principal of a boarding school for children, becoming also dietitian, and supervisor of gardening, well digging and carpentry. She took the place of a mother for many orphans and students. Her greatest concern was the spiritual welfare of her pupils. She mentioned this in almost every letter.

After seven years of service, she came home on furlough in 1927. In June 1929, she returned to India for a second term. It was during this term that she received word of her mother's passing. It was also this term that Helen became critically ill with typhoid fever, to the point that fellow missionaries, in the back of their minds, were preparing for her funeral. However, the Lord raised her up and she came home for a well earned furlough in April, 1937.

Her third term lasted from November, 1938 until February, 1948. War broke out and missionaries with families were advised to vacate. Helen and others decided to stay. However, she was brought home hurriedly (the first time by plane) to the bedside of her 88-year-old father and she attended his funeral.

In March 1950, she left for her fourth and last term in India where she served until 1957.

Prior to her home coming and retirement from India they celebrated her 69th birth.day and also had a school reunion. Many touching tributes were given to Miss Warkentin. One of her former students said: "During the tenure of 36 years with us, we have grown to love you as our own mother. As the principal, you never assumed an air of superiority. You were too courteous to offend anyone. Many of our orphan children were dumped into your lap, called you 'Amma' (mother) and you took them. But for your color, you are bone of our bone and pain of our pain. The main traits of your character are your motherly affection, absolute sincerity and utter humility. Your beloved orphan girls and boys are now some hundreds in number."

Helen came home to Winkler to stay in 1957. But her heart and soul were in India. She carried on a lively correspondence with those in India. It was a great joy for her indeed, when two Indian students, Vararuchi and Devadass, who attended the Winkler Bible Institute, visited her frequently.

She lived with her youngest sister Tien, who conscientiously cared for her.

Helen went to be with her Lord whom she loved and served so faithfully, on June 25, at age 87.

She was predeceased by her parents, three brothers and one sister. She leaves to mourn her passing, three brothers and two sisters: Ben and Francis, Moncton, New Brunswick, Peter and Mary, Nanaimo, B.C.; Paul and Winnifred, Samia, Ontario; Mrs. Sarah Unrau and Tien both of Winkler and one sister-in-law, Gertrude Warkentin of Winkler, as well as many relatives and a host of friends at home and abroad.

Funeral services were held July 28 in the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church. Pastor J. D. Stoesz opened the services with, "This is to be a praise service, for God has called his maid servant to her reward."

A. A. Unruh, who also served as a missionary in India and witnessed her labors of love there, gave a German message.

Rev. H. R. Baerg gave an English message on Psalm 116:3-18. A telegram from Vernon Wiebe conveyed the condolences from the Board of Missions/Services. Brother Devadass of India, presently studying, represented the India church. He and Vararuchi, another WBI student, visited the home of Tien and Helen Warkentin nearly every weekend. The ladies would serve them rice and curry. His tribute was, "She came and she loved us."

At the memorial lunch later, others gave tribute to Miss Warkentin. Three other missionaries to India, Margaret Suderman, Helen Harder and (Mrs.) George Froese testified of Miss Warkentin's faithful service.