ARTHUR WARKENTINE (ART)

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ARTHUR WARKENTINE
1927 - 2021

It is with great sadness and yet with rejoicing that our Lord and Saviour has taken a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather home.
Arthur John Warkentine was born August 6, 1927 at Morden Hospital to Jacob C. and Susannah Warkentine (nee Zacharias). He spent his early childhood in Glencross. Being an only child and having a father with vision difficulty made the realities of going to high school difficult for Art. At 15 years of age Art and his parents moved to an open eighty acres east of Osterwick and this signaled the start of a new beginning. It was a mixed farm, but cows were always the focus which eventually led to Maple Creek Dairy. The two sons and their families are now the third and fourth generations to continue the Warkentine dairy. It was Dad's pride and joy for the farm to stay in the family. Dad had many other interests besides farming. Early success at Provincial 4H speech competitions would sow the seeds to a short radio broadcasting career in Portage la Prairie, but for Dad his concern for his parents and the family farm weighed heavily on him to become a full-time farmer. At this time, Dad married Mary Bueckert on August 18, 1957. They were blessed with five children: Ella May, Randy, Lorne, Carol and Kevin. Dad grew up in the Bergthaler Church, first in Morden, and then in Winkler. He was baptized at the Winkler Bergthaler Church in 1956 by Rev. JM Pauls. Mom and Dad were founding members of Bethel Bergthaler Mennonite Church. Dad taught Sunday School, served as a deacon and a member of church council for many years. Dad was humble and patient in how he interacted with people. Dad was a good listener and tried not to pass judgement but understand others. Being community minded, Dad entered municipal politics as Reeve of the Stanley Municipality, as well as serving on various boards like Manitoba Pool Elevators, Winkler Creamery, Winkler Coop, M.C.C., Salem Home and the Stanley Agricultural Society.
Art is survived by his wife, Mary; children, Ella May, Randy (Nancy), Lorne (Kathy), Carol Bergman (Richard), Kevin (Colleen); grandchildren, Stacy Friesen (Brenden), Joelle Fehr (Jon), Melanie, Darin (Kristen), Levi, Tessa, Aaron, Cole, Raena; and great-grandchild Addison Friesen. We will miss Dad and look forward to seeing him again.
Private graveside service will be held at the Osterwick Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Art's memory to M.C.C. Canada.

Wiebe Funeral Home, Winkler
In care of arrangements
wiebefuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 13, 2021