Warkentin, Daniel J. (1907-1978)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1978 Apr 28 p. 34

Birth date: 1907 May 04

text of obituary:

DANIEL J. WARKENTIN

Daniel J. Warkentin of Clearbrook, B.C., was born in the Sagradovka region of southern Russia on May 4,1907, the seventh son of Johann and Elizabeth Warkentin. He went to be with the Lord on April 2 after a Sunday evening church service. During the great unrest of the Russian civil war, disease and famine, which claimed almost all of his family, he and his only surviving brother Jacob, accepted Christ as their personal Saviour.

In 1925 the two Warkentin brothers and their mother emigrated to Canada, settling in Steinbach, Man., where Daniel became a member of the newly organized Mennonite Brethren Church after his baptism in 1927. They moved to Gem, Alta., in 1929, where he farmed for 35 years. He was a charter member of the Gem Church. In 1940 he married Liese Matties, and the Lord blessed the marriage with one son and four daughters. The Warkentins retired to Clearbrook in 1965. Several instances of serious illness made Daniel very aware of the brevity of life. He often quoted hymns and verses that spoke of time and eternity. His passing was preceded by a year -of ill health because of heart attacks. But he often threw himself on the mercy of God with the verse from Psalm 31, "My times are in thy hand."

He leaves to mourn his beloved wife, Liese; daughters Esther (Mrs. Henry) Wiens, of Clearbrook, Frieda (Mrs. Jake) Funk of Swift Current, Hertha (Mrs. Rubin) Wiens of Lesotho, Africa, and a son, Irwin and Hertha of Vauxhall, Alta.; seven grandchildren; his brother, Jacob, of Clearbrook; and many dear relatives and friends.