Warkentin, John J. (1890-1975)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1975 July 11 p. 23

Birth date: 1890 Feb 21

text of obituary:

JOHN J. WARKENTIN

John J. Warkentin was born February 21, 1890 close to Winkler, Manitoba, to Rev. John and Sara (nee Loewen) Warkentin. Here he grew up in the midst of ten children. He was a handy industrial worker and took a general liking to agriculture. He received his education in Winkler and never went out for higher education as his brothers did, which was favorable to his father as he needed him on the farm.

When he was 16, he acknowledged his sinfulness and in faith became a child of God. Upon his faith in the Lord he was baptized on September 2, 1906, and admitted into the church. This experience was the highlight all his life and he cherished it to the end.

On October 19, 1913 he entered into holy matrimony at Bingham Lake, Minn. with Mary Voth, daughter of Rev. Henry and Sara (nee Kornelsen) Voth. After remaining in Minnesota about a year they moved to a farm near Winkler. After two years they left and homesteaded in Vanderhoof, B.C. Coming back they bought a farm near Roland, Man., where they spent the best and greater part of their life, 41 years. The Lord blessed abundantly with joy and success mixed with failures, hardships and sorrow, but they always trusted in the Lord. He gave them three children: Alma, Lily, and little Johnny who the Lord took to himself in infancy.

In 1959 they retired to Winkler. His wife Mary predeceased him on May 24, 1967, after nearly 55 years together. On January 6, 1969 he married Gertrude (nee Brown, Schellenberg, Reimer). This union lasted 6 years . He was relieved of his illness on May 24, when the Lord took him home. He reached 85 years.

He leaves to mourn his dear wife Gertie; four daughters, Alma with her husband Benno Giesbrecht of Winkler, Lily and her husband George Hogman of Pambrun, Sask., Esther and her husband Bill Kissick of Killarney, Man., Leona and her husband Wilmer Penner of Landmark, Man., six granddaughters and five grandsons; one great-grandchild; three brothers and three sisters and many relatives and friends.

Rev. John D. Stoesz and Rev. P. W. Martens officiated at the funeral, May 28, in the Winkler Mennonite Brethren Church.