WILFRED KENNETH WARKENTIN (WILF)

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WILFRED KENNETH WARKENTIN
1936 - 2023

It is with great sadness that the family of Wilf Warkentin announces his passing on Sunday, February 12, 2023, at the age of 86; only three short months after the death of his beloved Grace. While Grace was often larger than life, Wilf was quiet and shied away from the limelight. Their very different personalities complemented each other, and they could not imagine life without the other. Wilf was born on May 18, 1936, to Martha and George P. Warkentin in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.
He leaves behind his three children, Randy (Karla), Bonnie (Paddy), Tami (Andy), five grandchildren, Brodie (Rachel), CJ (Lindsay), Marie (Jeremy), David (Emily) and Andrew (Yetunde) and five beautiful great-grandchildren. He met his newest great-granddaughter, Hunter-Grace, and congratulated his grandson, David, on his engagement to Emily, just days before his death. Wilf is survived by two of his sisters, Grace Klassen and Edith Grimes. He is much loved by his and his late spouse, Grace's extended family and by his nieces and nephews and their families.
Wilf and Grace moved to Morden from Winnipeg with their young family in 1967 so Wilf could pursue his passion for cars and sales. He co-founded Garden City Chrysler with Max Friesen and they succeeded in business together for the next 40 years. Wilf and Grace quickly adopted their new home. Within weeks of arriving in Morden, Wilf began volunteering in the community. He is most widely remembered for his unwavering commitment on the Tabor (Personal Care) Home Board where he served for more than 30 years, including as the Chair of the Board for 14 years. During his time as the Chair, he was the driving force behind the development, fundraising and construction of a new, state of the art, 100-unit personal care home.
In 2015 Wilf was named Morden's Outstanding Volunteer of the Year, in which he was recognized for close to 50 years of volunteer service. He was nominated because of his creation of the Morden Community Handi-Van, a service that provided transportation to disabled residents of Morden. For more than 30 years, Wilf and Max contributed new vehicles for the Handi-Van from their dealership. Wilf was also honoured for his service as a trustee and then Chair of the Western School Division, as a member of the Morden Town Council and as one of the first Chairpersons of the Morden Corn and Apple Festival and of course, for his contributions to the Tabor Home. Above most other things, Wilf loved to golf. He and Grace travelled wherever they could swing a club; to places such as St. Andrews in Scotland, the Canary Islands in Spain, Hawaii, California, Florida and extensively throughout Canada. Wilf and his son-in-law, Andy, were partners at the Minnewasta Golf and Country Club, Tuesday Night Men's League for over 25 years. After Grace's stroke, Wilf devoted himself to her care for three and a half years until her death in November 2022.
Wilf was buried beside Grace at a private family service on February 14, 2023. A memorial service for Wilf will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2023 at Westside Community Church in Morden with a reception to follow.
If you choose, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Wilf's name to the Tabor Home in Morden.
The family would like to thank the emergency services in Morden and the medical staff at Boundary Trails Health Centre for their exceptional care in Wilf's final days. We extend a special thanks to Dr. Kevin Convery, Dr. Tanya Borchers, nurse Denise Darling and the entire Palliative Care Team.

Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden
In care of arrangements
wiebefuneralhomes.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 18, 2023