Helen Warkentin

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HELEN (EPP) WARKENTIN
Oct. 5, 1938-July 26, 2018

On the sunny summer day of Thursday, July 26, 2018, Helen Warkentin, of Grunthal, MB, closed her big blue eyes and went to her heavenly home. Helen was born on Oct. 5, 1938, the third of six children and the first daughter.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Werner Warkentin, and their children, Brian (Elena), Gary (Sherry), Albert (Lua), and Karen (Glenn Friesen), and her 17 grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother Henry (Geraldine), sisters Mary (Ernie Falk) and Margaret, sisters-in-law Sara and Anne, and their families.

She was predeceased by her parents David and Margaret Epp; two brothers, David and Werner; and brother-in-law, John Blatz.

Helen was baptized on the confession of her faith in May 1957 and married Werner, her high school sweetheart, in Grunthal on June 14, 1959. Together they took over the Warkentin family farm. Mom was very involved with the farm and outside activities while raising their four children. The farm won numerous awards for dairy production, and Dad credits Mom, as she was especially good with the cattle.

Over the years, Mom spent a great deal of time volunteering at the church and the MCC Thrift Shop. She led the church Ladies Auxiliary, sang in the church ladies group, was on the figure skating committee and was a member of the ladies Bible study group.

Mom was also an exhibitor in the Horticultural Society, and later judged at horticultural fairs all over southern Manitoba. In 1990, they built a new home off the farm yard, but still on the acreage, though they never fully retired from farming.

Mom kept a huge garden from which she prepared preserves and even sold raspberries. She loved outdoor flowers and took great care of them. Mom was a wonderful cook who loved to serve guests. She was well known for amazing meatballs, the world’s best chocolate cake, and was the reason the Elim Church was known for its great coffee.

Mom did her best to enjoy life, hide her pain, and not be limited. She took swimming lessons after her 40th birthday. Since Werner liked golfing, Helen took golfing lessons and together they had great times on the golf course. Dad and Mom took several short winter vacations, which she enjoyed despite her illness. She loved to pick berries, and even managed to pick saskatoons from her wheelchair just three weeks before her passing.

Mom struggled with health issues for much of the last 41 years of her life. She had six major surgeries, numerous bouts of pneumonia, and fought a courageous battle against cancer.

Special thanks to the staff at the De Salaberry Health Centre for showing their great compassion and care to Mom during the last four months of her life. Also, many thanks to her doctors over the years: Dr Alvi, Dr Molgat, Dr Anderson, Dr Fleming, Dr Silverman, Dr Unruh, Dr Brandes, Dr Vandramelli, Dr Ilchyna, Dr Torri, Dr Nasir, and many others.

Thank you all for being part of Helen’s life.

A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Elim Mennonite Church, 30 Main St, Grunthal, MB. A private interment took place prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation.

Arrangements by Birchwood Funeral Chapel 1-204-346-1030 or 1-888-454-1030.

As published in The Carillon on Jul 31, 2018