Obituary for Robert Warkentin

He was the third child in a lively family of 11. He loved his parents and siblings loyally. He was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on March 21, 1949.

On Aug. 22, 1958, he was married to Edith Anne Friesen, daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Friesen. They made their first home in the Greenland community. Their home was blessed with four children. He enjoyed custom baling. He also drove truck, hauling gravel for Brandt Construction, paving the roads in eastern Manitoba.

His adventurous spirit led him to the new congregation at St. Mary’s, Ont., in May 1964. He enjoyed cattle and raising corn, wheat, alfalfa and beans in the beauty of southwestern Ontario. He was meticulous and successful at making things work like new. The neighbours willingly lent him their equipment, knowing it would be returned in good working condition. Dad’s love of singing brought us together as a family in the evenings.

The family made another move to Bredenbury, Sask., where grain and cattle farming kept the family busy. In 1996, after all the children were married and moved away, Dad and Mom moved to Pincher Creek to be near their family.

Dad loved people. He was talented at repairing things and ready to help. He was an enthusiastic person with a ready smile and laugh. Being together as a family made his heart sing. He loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was a healthy man and never spent a night in the hospital.

Dad faced struggles and disappointments in his life. In the last year, especially the last months, we noticed a softening in his heart. With the Covid came the lockdowns, which caused some lonely times. We believe this led him to more Bible reading, meditating and realizing his need of God. In his room were many Bible verses copied on papers. His Bible and Sunday school book were open on the table, beside a list of songs that spoke of his heart. We are comforted and restful in trusting his soul to our Heavenly Father.

Those left to cherish memories are his wife, Edith, of Pincher Creek; his children: Marcia Friesen of Cardston, Alta.; Frank Friesen of Ste. Anne, Man.; Laurel and Kathleen Warkentin of Pincher Creek; Arlin and Vickie Warkentin of Scotia, Neb.; Karalee and Doyle Wiebe of Durham, Kans.; 13 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; his brothers Clifford and Naomi, Rio Verde, Brazil; Milton and Cheryl, Cartwright, Man.; Dewayne and Adeline, Ste. Anne, Man.; Marlin and Kathy, Ste. Anne, Man; his sisters Doris Penner, Rosenort, Man.; June and Denton Barkman, Cartwright, Man.; Irma and Lewis Giesbrecht, Royalton, Man.; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Alice and Walter Warkentin, Steinbach, Man.; Josie and Marvin Penner, Steinbach, Man.; Tony and Pat Friesen, Bredenbury, Sask.; Rosalie and Leroy Penner, Aaron, Sask.; also many friends in the Pincher Creek community.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, one sister, parents-in-law, two sisters-in-law and three brothers-in-law.

Funeral arrangements entrusted to Snodgrass Funeral Homes

403-627-4864     www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com