David Warkentin

He was born to Gerhard and Elisabeth Warkentin November 15, 1939, in Gem, Alberta. There were nine siblings in our family, David being the eighth. The others were Elsie, John, Peter, Selma, Justina, George, Henry and Walter. George and Selma are the only two remaining siblings.

When David was born I was ten years old and mother helped me to learn to care for David. We developed a bond with each other that lasted all of his life. I cleaned and dressed him and rocked him to sleep in the carriage.

When David was six we moved to Abbotsford, B.C. where my Uncle Peter and family lived. There were more educational opportunities in B.C. All but Elsie and John attended the Christian High School MEI. David attended the Mennonite Brethren Church at North Abbotsford, then the MB church in East Aldergrove, where Dad was the Lead Pastor.

When we lived in Boston Bar David came out to work in Keery’s Sawmill. He tented in our back yard, joining us for meals. He enjoyed working with his hands and learned carpentry.

When we lived in North Delta he joined us, sharing the boys’ room. He was a good influence on the boys, especially on our son David. He often brought home scraps of wood for the boys from his construction jobs. David our son and his neighbor friend built a fort in our back yard. When we moved to Nova Scotia David continued to work on houses and apartments in Vancouver, and Richmond where he built his own house.

George writes as both David’s employer and also his employee at different times: “After years of working in construction as a carpenter, David set up his own business – Cedar Hill Homes. He custom built homes for others and specialized in finishing both large apartment complexes and homes. As a businessman he always sought to treat his clients and his employees with integrity and provide quality workmanship. His business survived the housing crash of the early eighties in which many building businesses failed. Due to failing health he eventually went on disability until his retirement.”

He married Irene Peters April 4, 1972. They lived in his Richmond house. Sadly, Irene died August 18, 1987 of cancer. David lived in his Richmond home until it became too difficult due to failing health. His brother George gave David much help over the years, including his transition from his home. Other valued help came from his cousin’s family, Paul and Elaine Warkentin, with cleanup and disposal of unneeded earthly treasure. There was also help from the church he attended.

He moved to Shannon Oaks, a beautiful senior’s care residence. He continued to attend services at City View Baptist Church where he was a blessing to many. We had many telephone conversations about his church and his involvement in the Open Table, an outreach of his church providing dinners and other help to needy people.

When his health problems made it impossible to go on living at Shannon Oaks, he was admitted to the hospital and then to V.G.H., where he received very good compassionate care until he died. We are grateful for Pastor Trevor’s counseling and assistance.

Written by his sister,

Selma Epp