JAKE KENNETH WARKENTIN

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JAKE KENNETH WARKENTIN May 11, 1950 March 9, 2006 After a lengthy battle with leukemia and its complications, Ken breathed his last of this earth's air on March 9, 2006, surrounded by his family at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg. Through all his suffering Ken radiated God's love and prayed that God be glorified through his life. Ken was born during a flood on May 11, 1950 and grew up on a farm near Haskett, MB. Always adventurous, this is where he built his first forts that would set the stage for many later projects. After graduating from high school in Winkler, MB, Ken attended Elim Bible School in Altona, MB where he met Linda Gerbrandt. After moving on to university in Winnipeg Ken and Linda were married in 1972 and soon set out on their next adventures, volunteering with Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) in Quebec and Newfoundland. Ken and Linda returned to Manitoba, moving to Morden where Ken was employed as a vocational rehabilitation counselor for nearly 30 years a job which he loved. Sons Philip and Jonathan were born and a town lot seemed too small. Ken and the family moved to an acreage a few miles from Morden. The space allowed Ken plenty of opportunity for his many hobbies which included wood carving, leather work, gardening, stained glass, lumberjacking, cross country skiing, shingling, renovating and many others. Ken enjoyed experiencing new people and places. He traveled across Canada, spending a year in Labrador with his family, volunteering for MCC. Ken was an active member of Westside Community Church in Morden, serving as an elder, moderator, Sunday school teacher, usher, small group leader and friend. Ken was predeceased by his parents, Peter and Sarah Warkentin and his parents-in-law Jake and Nettie Gerbrandt. Left to mourn are his wife Linda, son Philip and his wife Elisabeth, son Jonathan and his wife Marissa, siblings Irene and Frank Kehler, Alan and Helen Warkentin, Richard and Agnes Warkentin, and Luella and Abe Klassen, in-laws Dorothy and Ken Fisher, Ed and Mavis Gerbrandt, and Elma and Jamie Dean, stepmother-in-law Margaret Gerbrandt, and many nieces and nephews. A grandchild whom he loved dearly, but never met, will be born in a few weeks. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2006, 2:00 p.m. at the Westside Community Church, 831 Thornhill St. Morden, MB. Interment will follow at the Winkler Cemetery. Public viewing will be held at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, 1050 Thornhill St., Morden, Manitoba, Monday, March 13, 1:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Tuesday, March 14, 1:00 - 9:00 p.m. and at the church prior to the service. Donations to MCC, 134 Plaza Dr. Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9 or CancerCare Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave Room ON109 Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V0, are welcomed. Special thanks from the family to all of the wonderful physicians and staff at GD6, CancerCare, and MICU at the Health Sciences Centre, Judith at Spiritual Care and social worker, Orit. Thanks also to the Westside Community Church family, all of Ken's friends, neighbors, colleagues, and everyone who knew and loved him. Wiebe Funeral Home, Morden In care of arrangements, 822-4755 www.wiebefuneralhomes.com

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 13, 2006