Warkentin, Gerhardt (1895-1967)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1967 Mar 9 p. 10

Birth date: 1895 Dec 21

text of obituary:

Long-Time Mennonite Brethren Pastor Dies

Denver, Colo. — Rev. Gerhardt Warkentin, who served as pastor of a number of Mennonite Brethren churches and completed more than 50 years in the active ministry, died here Feb. 27.

A native of South Russia, he experienced the hardships of the communist revolution in that country, which claimed the lives of his first wife and little daughter. He came to America in 1921 and immediately became active in Christian work.

From 1946 to 1948 he served in South America under the MCC. His last pastorate was at Jose, Colo. Survivors include his third wife, Bessie; three children; two sisters in South America, one in Russia, and one in British Columbia.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1967 Apr 6 p. 8

text of obituary:

REV. GERHARDT WARKENTIN

Gerhardt Warkentin, son of Gerhardt and Margareta Thiessen Warkentin, was born Dec. 21, 1895 in South Russia. Here he attended the elementary schools. At the age of 20 he was baptized upon his confession of faith by Rev. B. B. Jantz. He soon felt the call to tell others about the good news of the Gospel, and so he entered Bible school in the Crimea.

In 1917 he was married to Marie Quopp. This union was blessed with a baby girl, Susie. However, about this time they were forced to flee due to the revolution. As a result, both mother and child died in 1919 during the flight. In 1921 he arrived in America. He immediately began to help along in Christian work in Chicago where he also attended Moody Bible Institute.

On Oct. 23, 1922, God again supplied a companion in the person of Mrs. Tina Koop. Through this step he also assumed the responsibility of becoming the father to her only child, Wally. This union was further blessed with a son and a daughter. On Jan. 23, 1951, God saw fit to take this companion home to glory also.

On Oct. 3, 1951, he was married to Bessie Bucher.

He pastored the following churches: Gladwin, Mich., 1935-1940 and Lodi, Calif., 1940-1945.

After receiving his BRE degree from the Baptist Theological Seminary in Los Angeles, he served under the MCC in South America during 1946 to 1948.

From 1948 to 1953 he was pastor of the Harvey, N. D. Mennonite Brethren Church. After serving two years as pastor of the Dorrance, Kan. Church, he accepted the call as pastor of the Joes, Colo. Church. Here he was privileged to serve until 1965, thus fulfilling his desire to serve the Lord actively in the ministry for 50 years.

In June of 1965 he moved to Denver, Colo. to retire and help along in the church. Here he was employed as a Minister of Visitation.

About a year ago he had a serious attack of cancer. The Lord saw fit to restore him to fairly good health, and he again became active in the work of the kingdom. In December, yellow jaundice set in. He spent the last two weeks in the hospital. He died Feb. 27, reaching the age of 71 years, two months and six days.

Those who remain to mourn his departure are his wife; three children, Wally, Willie and Erna, Mrs. Yerky, all of Detroit; two sisters in South America, one sister in Russia and one sister in British Columbia; two daughters-in-law, one son-in-law, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.