Obituary for Mary Ann Warkentin (Friesen)
It’s with great rejoicing that Mary Ann Warkentin has been released from the bonds of this earth on Sunday, April 16, 2023, and now resides with her Lord.
Mary Ann was born on April 5, 1937, in Steinbach, MB, to Rev. Peter D. Friesen and Margaret (nee Rempel). She was the 3rd of 6 children, and the only girl surrounded by 5 brothers.
Mary Ann met and began dating Dave Goertzen in 1954, and the two were married in June of 1956. The two moved to Winnipeg to begin their new life together. In 1962 they purchased their first home where their family of four children was completed. Mary Ann chose to be a stay-at-home mom while the children were younger, but was always very involved in the church, singing in the choir, serving at various events and wherever else she was needed. She and Dave were also involved in planting the Braeside EMC Church in Winnipeg in 1968 and became leaders there.
Once the children were old enough, Mary Ann chose to learn a trade, became an esthetician and went to work for her sister-in-law at her hair salon. Mary Ann was always a very cheerful and easygoing person who loved to meet and chat with all kinds of people. Her new career fit perfectly with her personality.
When Dave retired in 1992, the two of them served as volunteer helpers at The Oaks, a children’s camp in the California mountains and a ministry of World Impact. This camp served kids from the poorest part of Los Angeles. Dave was their fix-it, jack of all trades guy, while Mary Ann helped prepare meals for the campers and staff. They served there for 2 years and were then asked to serve at World Impact’s Colorado camp, which they did for 1 season until Dave became ill.
When Dave passed in 1999, her faith, the church, family and friends became her source of strength. Mary Ann continued to serve in the church and very much enjoyed her involvement in the Keenager choir. It was in that choir in 2010 where this well dressed, handsome fella named Jake Warkentin caught Mary Ann’s eye. Soon enough, the two were married and began making beautiful music together.
In 2020, Mary Ann was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and soon after, became blind. Mary Ann became a resident of Bethania in August of 2022.
Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents, her first husband Dave Goertzen, her brother Vern Friesen, brother Al Friesen, sisters-in-law Myrna Friesen and Margaret Goertzen, brother-in-law John Penner,
sister-in-law Katherine Penner, brother-in-law Ernest Dyck, sister-in-law Mary Dyck.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband Jake Warkentin; her son Riley (Lorraine) Goertzen and their children David and Allison; her daughter Audrey Goertzen; her son Larry (Becky) Goertzen and their daughter Amy (Scott) Doell, and their children, Hailey, Jared and William; and their daughter Nicole (Chris) Young and their children Devon and Aurora; and her son Jim (Darra) Goertzen and their children Tayiah and Evan
Mary Ann is also survived by her brother Don (Anne) Friesen, brother Norm Friesen, brother Ralph (Hanna) Friesen, sisters-in-law Carol Friesen and Irma Friesen, brother-in-law Bill (Donna) Goertzen, brother-in-law Irvin (Helen) Goertzen, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
On the Warkentin side, Mary Ann is survived by her stepchildren, DJ (Jacqueline) Warkentin, Janet Warkentin-Bosse (Aart), Rod (Diane) Warkentin and 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
She is also survived by brother-in-law Henry (Katie) Warkentin, brother-in-law George (Elfrieda) Warkentin, and sister-in-law Adina Wall.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Braeside Evangelical Mennonite Church, 1011 Munroe Avenue, Winnipeg, with viewing prior to service.
The service will be livestreamed, and available at:
https://youtube.com/live/6h7s-g_gWcE?feature=share
In lieu of flowers, and if desired, donations may be made in Mary Ann’s name to The Family Support Centre (CPC), 650 Broadway Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0X3, or MCC, 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9
Mary Ann was born on April 5, 1937, in Steinbach, MB, to Rev. Peter D. Friesen and Margaret (nee Rempel). She was the 3rd of 6 children, and the only girl surrounded by 5 brothers.
Mary Ann met and began dating Dave Goertzen in 1954, and the two were married in June of 1956. The two moved to Winnipeg to begin their new life together. In 1962 they purchased their first home where their family of four children was completed. Mary Ann chose to be a stay-at-home mom while the children were younger, but was always very involved in the church, singing in the choir, serving at various events and wherever else she was needed. She and Dave were also involved in planting the Braeside EMC Church in Winnipeg in 1968 and became leaders there.
Once the children were old enough, Mary Ann chose to learn a trade, became an esthetician and went to work for her sister-in-law at her hair salon. Mary Ann was always a very cheerful and easygoing person who loved to meet and chat with all kinds of people. Her new career fit perfectly with her personality.
When Dave retired in 1992, the two of them served as volunteer helpers at The Oaks, a children’s camp in the California mountains and a ministry of World Impact. This camp served kids from the poorest part of Los Angeles. Dave was their fix-it, jack of all trades guy, while Mary Ann helped prepare meals for the campers and staff. They served there for 2 years and were then asked to serve at World Impact’s Colorado camp, which they did for 1 season until Dave became ill.
When Dave passed in 1999, her faith, the church, family and friends became her source of strength. Mary Ann continued to serve in the church and very much enjoyed her involvement in the Keenager choir. It was in that choir in 2010 where this well dressed, handsome fella named Jake Warkentin caught Mary Ann’s eye. Soon enough, the two were married and began making beautiful music together.
In 2020, Mary Ann was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and soon after, became blind. Mary Ann became a resident of Bethania in August of 2022.
Mary Ann was predeceased by her parents, her first husband Dave Goertzen, her brother Vern Friesen, brother Al Friesen, sisters-in-law Myrna Friesen and Margaret Goertzen, brother-in-law John Penner,
sister-in-law Katherine Penner, brother-in-law Ernest Dyck, sister-in-law Mary Dyck.
Mary Ann is survived by her husband Jake Warkentin; her son Riley (Lorraine) Goertzen and their children David and Allison; her daughter Audrey Goertzen; her son Larry (Becky) Goertzen and their daughter Amy (Scott) Doell, and their children, Hailey, Jared and William; and their daughter Nicole (Chris) Young and their children Devon and Aurora; and her son Jim (Darra) Goertzen and their children Tayiah and Evan
Mary Ann is also survived by her brother Don (Anne) Friesen, brother Norm Friesen, brother Ralph (Hanna) Friesen, sisters-in-law Carol Friesen and Irma Friesen, brother-in-law Bill (Donna) Goertzen, brother-in-law Irvin (Helen) Goertzen, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
On the Warkentin side, Mary Ann is survived by her stepchildren, DJ (Jacqueline) Warkentin, Janet Warkentin-Bosse (Aart), Rod (Diane) Warkentin and 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
She is also survived by brother-in-law Henry (Katie) Warkentin, brother-in-law George (Elfrieda) Warkentin, and sister-in-law Adina Wall.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at Braeside Evangelical Mennonite Church, 1011 Munroe Avenue, Winnipeg, with viewing prior to service.
The service will be livestreamed, and available at:
https://youtube.com/live/6h7s-g_gWcE?feature=share
In lieu of flowers, and if desired, donations may be made in Mary Ann’s name to The Family Support Centre (CPC), 650 Broadway Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0X3, or MCC, 134 Plaza Dr., Winnipeg, MB R3T 5K9