Geraldine Warkentin - 1929 - 2015. Geraldine Annie Quasso Warkentin peacefully passed into the arms of her loving Saviour on July 8, 2015 at the Maplewood Manor, reaching the age of 86 years. Our beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother was born January 28, 1929 in Morris, MB to Carl & Katherine Goossen Quasso. Her early childhood had many happy memories. She often referred to her loving father with his cheerful whistling and singing as he went about his work. Sadly, her father passed away when she was 10 years old and her brother when she was 15 years old. Whom she missed dearly. Mom gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on December 23, 1942 in Rosenort, MB, faithfully serving her Lord to the end. When her mother remarried, the family moved to the Landmark area. On April 30, 1950, the year of the big flood, she married me, Elden Warkentin in the Greenland Church, Ste. Anne, MB. Settling on a farm in the Greenland Community, they raised their two sons and five daughters. Mom's life was filled with all the things that gave her joy; her husband, children, cooking, gardening especially flowers and creating a warm and welcoming home, never turning anyone away. She graciously gave of her hospitality to the many people employed on the farm throughout the years, including the John Gerber family and Fritz and Danielle Nussbaum of Switzerland. The grandchildren doubled her joy and she welcomed each one with open arms, hugs and kisses. A favorite memory of the grandchildren is the elaborate candy bags that were handed out each Christmas. In spite of challenging heart issues which began in her forties, she maintained a positive attitude and rarely complained. Big life changes happened in the spring of 1978 when Dad and Mom moved to a cattle and grain farm near Saltcoats, SK. Once again Mom created a warm and welcoming home and was known for her gracious hospitality. In spite of Mom's love for her home and family, she supported Dad in his desire for adventure. She accompanied him on many trips, including her ancestral home in Italy, visiting Uncle Clifford's in Brazil and spending several mission terms in India and Germany. In their retirement years, they built a home in the town of Saltcoats, large enough to accommodate their ever increasing number of grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many more happy memories were made in their home in town. As declining health made it difficult for Mom to be at home, she became a resident of the Lakeside Manor Care Home in Saltcoats for five years where she was lovingly cared for by those who became her special friends. At the end of October, 2014, rooms became available for Mom and Dad in the Maplewood Manor in Steinbach, MB. In spite of Mom's rapidly declining health, they made the decision to move to Steinbach. Although Mom greatly missed her home in Saltcoats, she quickly settled into her new home, enjoying the fact that Dad lived in the same building, enabling them to spend much precious time together. She found much comfort in knowing Dad was always there for her. In April, we as a family were privileged to celebrate Mom & Dad's 65th anniversary together with them. Even though her body grew weaker, the strength of her faith continued to be evident in her positive attitude, her interest and concern for others. Until the very end, she graciously thanked everyone for coming to see her and always reminded them to sign in her guestbook. This was very important to her. In her last days, although she slept much of the time, she still had warm, loving smiles for the people she loved, especially Dad. The family appreciates the care Mom received at the Maplewood Manor. It was evident that Mom loved all the caregivers and had a special place in her heart for Doris Goossen. On Wednesday morning it appeared that her life was nearing the end and she passed away peacefully at lunchtime. We are so thankful her suffering has ended and we believe the Lord has taken her home. She will forever be remembered by and sadly missed by her loving husband, Elden, her children Carol and Dennis Barkman, Swan River, MB, Ethelyn & Myrle Wohlgemuth, Centreville, NB, Edith & Melvin Penner, Ste. Anne, MB, presently serving in Africa, Patricia & Tony Friesen of Bredenbury, SK, Leslie & Cyndy Warkentin, Landmark, MB , Bonnie & Joel Penner, Saltcoats, SK, Elden James & Christine Warkentin, St. Paul, AB, a family friend, Larry Goossen, 27 grandchildren, 46 great grand-children, sister Esther Penner and brother Eugene and Lottie Quasso; sister in laws Irene Penner, Doris Penner, June & Denton Barkman, Irma & Lewis Giesbrecht, brothers in law Louis & Edith Warkentin, Clifford & Naomi Warkentin, Milton Warkentin, Dwayne & Adeline Warkentin, Marlin & Kathy Warkentin. She was predeceased by her parents, two grandchildren, one great grandchild, two brothers, one in infancy, one sister and two brothers in law, and her step brothers and sisters. We want to express our gratitude for the wonderful care she received from all her care givers in the last six years. A Service of Comfort for Family and Friends was held on Monday, July 13, 2015 and the Funeral Service was held on Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Both services were conducted at the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, Saltcoats, SK with Norman Wohlgemuth, Laurel Wiebe, Narceno Cano and Myrle Wohlgemuth officiating. The Interment Service followed in the church cemetery. The pallbearers were Geraldine's oldest grandson from each family - Jay Barkman, Doug Wohlgemuth, Lonnie Penner, Chris Friesen, Travis Warkentin, Clark Penner and Nathan Warkentin serving as the casket bearers. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting www.christiesfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, SK.
