Warkentin, Cornelius C. (1902-1974)

Revision as of 10:45, 5 October 2023

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 Nov 29 p. 30

Birth date: 1902 Jan 01

text of obituary:

Cornelius C. Warkentin was born January 1, 1902 in Waldheim, Russia. It was here that he spent his childhood and youth, together with his parents and seven brothers and sisters. At the age of 21 he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and soon thereafter was baptized and received into the fellowship of the Mennonite Brethren Church.

In 1923 he immigrated to North America with his parents. After a brief stay in the United States the family settled in Winkler, Manitoba. He completed his high school education and went on to study at the University of Manitoba from which he received B.A., B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees magna cum laude. He taught public school for two years and held a position as principal of a high school for four years.

In 1936 he was united in marriage with Agatha Dyck. At this time he also took on parental responsibilities for her nine-year-old sister, Elfrieda, who had been her charge since the death of their parents. In their 38 years of marriage they shared many joys and sorrows.

God entrusted them with seven healthy children: Elfrieda with her husband Cornelius Balzer, Anita and her husband Edward Buller, Emily and her husband Dietmar Goerz, Eleanore, Elizabeth and her husband Gary Collins, Cornelius and Ruth. All of them accepted Christ as their Saviour. The family could seek his counsel in any problem, be it schoolwork or in spiritual matters. Whenever the children left home for an assignment elsewhere, he would read Psalm 121 and commit them to God in a special way.

In the difficult years after the depression he sought to gain a better livelihood for his family by moving into Winnipeg. He lectured at the University of Manitoba and at the same time held a position in the Meterological Department of the federal government. He was soon promoted to the position of lecturer and later became inspector of a large meteorological division. Upon his retirement after 27 years of faithful service, he was awarded a gold medal from the government in a touching ceremony held in his honor.

He gave himself wholly to the work of the Lord. His pew in church was rarely vacant and he gave priority to his responsibilities in the church- whether as a caretaker in the early years at the South End, as a Sunday school teacher, a choir conductor, as teacher of the German school, as the youth leader, treasurer or as a deacon.

During his 50 years of active Christian service the work on a conference level was always close to his heart. He devoted particular interest to the development of the Mission Endowment Fund which became well established under his guidance. Since 1951 he sought to be a deacon, in the true sense of the word, to the members of the North Kildonan Church.

He always found great joy and fulfillment in ministering the Word wherever he had an opportunity. This was the case, especially in the years after his retirement, when he served several smaller country congregations.

As a man of unwavering convictions he was often misunderstood by his co-workers Those who were close to him recognized in him the stout heart, the desire to do right, man of keen insight, devotion and faith in God. When his strength was failing his family often found him resting on the sofa with folded hands. He was praying - for them, for the church, for the work of the Lord. His life reflected the faith expressed in John 11:25 and 26: "I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."

He went on to this eternal life on November 11. He was predeceased by his parents three brothers and one sister. He leaves to mourn and remember him always, his wife Agatha, seven children, four sons-in-law, ten grandchildren, three sisters and many relatives and friends.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1974 Dec 19 p. 10