Neta Warkentin

Nettie Helen (Neta) Warkentin (formerly Bergen, nee Peters) 86, passed away on Wednesday, January 6 at Maplewood House Senior Care Facility in Abbotsford, BC. She was born on April 24th, 1929 in Gnadenthal, MB to Henry and Aganeta Peters.

Neta grew up on a farm near Winnipegosis, MB where she attended the Bicton Heath School until age 14. Neta married Alfred Bergen on April 18th, 1952 in Winnipegosis, MB. In 1956 they moved with 2 children and very little else to the Fraser Valley of BC. Their family grew and worked their way to buy a dairy farm on the Sumas Prairie near Abbotsford, BC. They remained in BC for about 20 years and then moved back to Manitoba in 1975 to a farm in the Fork River area. They were happily married for 37 years until a tragic accident claimed Alfred’s life on April 19, 1989. She remained on the farm for two and a half more years. Neta married John Warkentin on October 12th, 1991 in Winnipegosis, MB. They lived in Fork River until 2010 when they moved to Winnipegosis. In 2013 due to deteriorating health, it was no longer practical for them to live together. John was moved to the Winnipegosis Mossey River Personal Care Home. Neta moved back to Abbotsford, BC to be near the care and attention of her immediate family members living there.

Neta was so sad not to continue school when she turned 14 but she was needed at home. She was a valuable resource for the many chores and household duties on the growing family farm especially when a new brother or sister arrived. So excellent was her work that while still in her early teens she became the preferred caregiver to help other growing families in the community in the same way. Alfred was a very lucky man to marry someone so adored and so skilled. She blessed her family with cooking, baking and sewing that was downright exceptional. She was equally talented at gardening and it was not unusual for her to serve up fresh tomatoes in late December which had been picked in early fall and allowed to ripen in her pantry.

It was not just her ability to be resourceful that has propelled Neta through some very difficult times but also her faith in God. Her ongoing role as a Sunday School teacher at Nordheim Mennonite Church was the result of a strong commitment to the community of faith and a desire to demonstrate to others virtues of abundant life. Shortly before Alfred’s death, Neta started work at a residential care facility called Sagemace Place in Winnipegosis. She worked there for about a year after she and John were married. It was around this time that her struggle with an eye disease called glaucoma resulted in some serious losses of eyesight. She was sad to give up driving and hobbies like sewing and quilting but she continued to express herself with beautiful flower and vegetable gardens for a few more years. A special thank you to the staff and nurses at the Maplewood manor for doing an exceptional job of her care and comfort allowing her to live out her final days with many visits from close friends and families.

Neta was predeceased by her husband Alfred Bergen, sisters, Helen Estelle and Anne Buhler, brothers, Art and Henry, and niece Michelle Peters.

Neta is survived by her husband John of Winnipegosis MB, her six children Gord (Karen) of Abbotsford BC, Carol (Roger) Schmitke of Meadow Lake SK, Ernie (Kathy) of Millet AB, Harv (Jean) of Abbotsford BC, David (Connie) of Abbotsford BC, Gary (Rosemarie Holtmann) of Portage la Prairie MB, and all of their families. She has 22 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

Neta will be sadly missed by brothers, Paul of BC, George (Myrtle) of Meleb MB, sisters, Ruth (John) Inglis of Winnipeg MB, and Louise Kokot of Swan River MB, sister-in-law Gail Peters of Winnipeg MB, brothers-in-law George (Margaret) Bergen of Abbotsford BC, and Walter (Darlene) Bergen of Winnipeg MB, sisters in law; Lydia Bergen of Abbotsford BC, Laura Friesen of Winnipeg MB; numerous nieces, nephews, in-laws and all of their families.

Neta will also be missed by the Warkentin stepfamily including Lil Dyck of Winnipeg MB, John of Sparwood BC, Ken (Kathleen) of Fork River MB, Harold (Deb) of Kenora ON, Marlene (Bernie) Reimer of Winnipeg MB, Ron (Audrey) of Fork River MB, and all of their families.

A memorial service will be held at Clearbrook Mennonite Brethren Church, 2719 Clearbrook Rd, Abbotsford, BC at 11:00 am, Monday, January 18 with a lunch to follow. A memorial service will be held at Nordheim Mennonite Church, 225 George Street, Winnipegosis, MB at 11:00 am on February 6 with a lunch to follow. Interment will take place at Nordheim Cemetery near Winnipegosis, MB.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made in honour of Neta Warkentin to Canadian Foodgrains Bank by calling 1.800.665.0377 or to the CNIB by calling 1-800-563-2642.