Warkentin, Henry K. (1891-1977)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1977 Feb 24 p. 11

Birth date: 1891 Dec 10

text of obituary:

REV. H. K. WARKENTIN

Henry K. Warkentin was born on Dec. 10, 1891 to Peter J. and Anna Koop Warkentin near Hillsboro, Kan. He went to be with the Lord on Jan. 25, 1977 at the age of 85.

He received Christ as his Saviour as a young man of 15.

Father came to Reedley, Calif. in 1912. He was married to Margaret Harms on March 23, 1916. They made their home on a farm near Reedley. Later he opened a furniture and appliance store in Reedley.

When father began to work with the Gideons and Christian Businessmen, the Lord spoke to him and called him into full-time service. He prepared himself by enrolling in the Bible Institute of Los Angeles when he was 50 years old.

Together with mother, father ministered in rescue missions and to servicemen during the war. They purchased a building and began a Sunday school and church in Pasadena. During this time they were ordained to the ministry.

In 1948 they visited their children in India, and after seeing the need for Bibles they organized the Telegu Bible Society which placed 5,000 Bibles in India. They also produced films of their travels which were used to present the need of missions. A church in Austria and a Bible school in India were the result of their faithfulness. They have also visited and encouraged missionaries in many countries. While living in Fresno father had great joy in serving as a chaplain in the Sierra Hospital.

Last March father and mother celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Father is survived by his wife; one daughter Ruth and husband Kermit Ratzlaff of Illinois; two sons, Clarence and wife Adina of Reedley, and Dan and wife Mary of Sierra Madre; one daughter-in-law, Mrs. Bea Warkentin; two sisters, Mrs. Helen Jost and Mrs. Alma Goossen; 16 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sons, Arthur as an infant, and Herman while doing mission work in India. A chapel was built at the M. B. Biblical Seminary in Herman's memory. — The Family.