Obituary of Wayne Warkentin

Wayne Warkentin was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on October 23, 1958, and passed away on February 10, 2020, at the age of 61, at his home in Ste. Anne, Manitoba.

Wayne is survived by his children: Michelle (Dan) Pelland, Matthew Warkentin and Nathan Warkentin; siblings: Dean (Bev) Warkentin, Scott (Susan) Warkentin, Troy (Allison) Warkentin, Jenilyn (Mike) Babcock; and many nieces and nephews.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents: Alfred & Corrine Warkentin.

Wayne lived his first few years in Winnipeg until he moved with his family to the farm in Landmark in 1966. Wayne enjoyed his childhood on the farm playing with his brothers, riding mini bike, target practice, spending time at his grandparents. This is also the time when he started to develop his curiosity for life; wondering about the “hows” and the “whys”.

Wayne attended Landmark School until Grade 9, and graduated from the Steinbach Regional Secondary School in 1976.  He developed many lasting friendships and memories during his school years, and it was during this time, that he discovered his love for tinkering with electronics.  Wayne helped out with the family farm while growing up, and he started to develop his taping skills beginning when he was 16 while working with his Dad.

His dad encouraged him to learn a trade which led to the beginning of Wayne’s life-long career in taping during which he worked for many of them along with his brother Dean.  He occasionally worked out of town, but preferred to stay close to home, and to his family, which allowed for frequent visits with his parents when stopping in to have an early morning coffee. 

Wayne had an appreciation and love for Mother Nature; gardening, hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing and watching thunderstorms. His gardens were amazing and saying that he had a “Green Thumb” would be an understatement; the largest pumpkin he ever grew was close to 300 lbs!  There were numerous camping and fishing trips with his children, siblings, family and friends. The backcountry canoe trips along the Caddy Lake system were his favorite. Wayne discovered many unique ways to make these trips more enjoyable with less effort, from building wheeled carts to carry the load, or using sails on the canoes when the wind was right.

Wayne loved his children, and they were usually found at his heels as he worked around the yard or in his garden. He continued to involve them in his love of nature, play and wonder.  He passed on to his children a view of life that is like no other.

Wayne had an amazingly creative mind.  His workshop always had a project or 2, or 3 on the go. And he enjoyed celebrating life with his home-made fireworks whenever he could.  He had a never ending curious and inquisitive nature; reading everything from the Bible to War History to Science Journals. He often spoke of his vivid dreams; like he was living in the dream itself, and was able to start and stop the dream like a movie. He had an easy-going nature and was usually willing to spark up a conversation with anyone, hoping every time to spark a smile.

Wayne struggled with his health during his last years.  He was frustrated that he couldn't be as active as he once was.  But, he still enjoyed the little things like how beautiful the sun would shine in his yard on a crisp winter morning. 

The memorial service for Wayne will be held on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Birchwood Funeral Chapel, Steinbach, MB.