Warkentin, John G. (1891-1954)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 May 20 p. 5

Birth date: 1891 Nov 19

text of obituary:

. . .

— Funeral services for John G. Warkentin, 62, were held Sunday afternoon at the Alexanderwohl church. Mr. Warkentin, who farmed east of Goessel most of his life, died Wednesday evening May 12 at the Bethesda hospital. He is survived by his wife, one sister, Anna H. Warkentin, and a brother, H. J. Warkentin, both of Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1954 May 27 p. 9

text of obituary:

JOHN G. WARKENTIN

John G. Warkentin, son of John G. and Helena (Graevs) Warkentin, was born Nov. 19, 1891, in Marion county, Kans. and passed away May 12, 1954, in the Bethesda hospital at Goessel, Kans. reaching the age of 62 years, five months and 23 days.

He attended the Green Valley school, and later the parochial school at Goessel, where he completed his training.

He was baptized upon confession of faith in his redeemer Jesus Christ on May 26, 1912, by Elder Henry Banman and united with the Alexanderwohl church, whose faithful member he remained until his death.

He was united in marriage to Louise Schmidt on March 14, 1922. This marriage was blessed with much happiness, and God’s divine guidance was keenly felt by them. They enjoyed each other for a period of 32 years, one month and 28 days, when the departed was taken from his beloved life’s companion to his eternal home. The words of the poem “Eternal Life” are so true:

“Though home be dear, and life be sweet,
And thankful hearts God’s bounty greet
Yet rings at times the message dear,
'Our soul’s true city is not here.'"

The departed enjoyed good health most of his life until about eight years ago when he submitted to a severe operation from which he fully recovered. However, about six months before his death he again had to submit to an operation in the Bethel hospital at Newton. He remained in that hospital for about 26 days. After a few weeks when he again could be at his home, he had to enter the Bethesda hospital at Goessel for more medical aid and doctor’s care. But in the face of everything that the doctor and the nurses could do for him, he passed away to his eternal home.

Realizing that he could not remain here and placing his future entirely in the Lord’s will, he longed for the hour of redemption from suffering and pain. Conscious almost to the last moment of his life, he gave his loved ones his last words of farewell as his strength would permit.

He leaves to mourn his departure his sorrowing wife Louise of the home; one brother, Henry Warkentin and wife Lena of Newton, one sister Anna of Newton; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Schmidt of Newton, Mr. and Mrs. P. C. Voth, Newton, Mrs. D. J. Schmidt, Wichita, and Herman Schmidt of Newton; one uncle, Isaac Graevs of Hillsboro; two aunts, Mrs. Eva Graevs of Goessel and Mrs. Mary Graves of Newton; 16 nieces and nephews, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held at the Bergen funeral home and at the Alexanderwohl church on Sunday afternoon May 15, 1954, in charge of Rev. P. A. Wedel, assisted by Rev. H. B. Schmidt.