Eleanor Warkentin Barkman

Eleanor Warkentin Barkman was born March 13, 1927 to Ben D and Agnes Warkentin at Greenland, Manitoba.  She passed away at Maplewood Manor, Steinbach, Manitoba June 12, 2023, at the age of 96 years. She gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized at Greenland into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on May 2, 1940.  She remained faithful to God and to those vows, leaving us an example of faithfulness and stability. 

As the oldest in a family of 13 children, Mom had a lot of responsibility in helping her parents with choring, fieldwork, and hauling water.  Mom married our dad, Arthur G Barkman, on May 6, 1951. They had 17 wonderful years together. They made their first home in Greenland, where their 2 children were born.  In 1966 we moved to a farm in St Marys, Ontario. Only two years later, on June 5, 1968, her husband was killed in a tragic farm accident.  She bravely carried on for the sake of us children. Two years later we moved back to Greenland and our families, purchasing a farm there.  In 2008 she and her daughter, Connie, moved into Steinbach. Due to declining health, she entered Maplewood Manor in March 2022, where she was lovingly cared for until her passing.

We remember the loving welcome we always received when we came to Mom’s (Grandma’s) house, the delicious meals, her beautiful flowers and well-kept yard which testified of her love of working outside. Singing was an important part of her life, in the earlier years with her sisters, and with the rest of us later, all through her life.  She lived with many changes in her long life, and through it all she maintained a simple lifestyle and was content to be at home. In her later years she occupied herself by making many quilt tops and blankets for the needy.

Those left to cherish precious memories are her son Allen and Audrey of Birnie, MB, daughter Connie of Steinbach, 6 grandchildren: Carol and Jeff Wohlgemuth, Jennalee and Shaun Isaac, Ruth and John Friesen, Wanda and Ryan Dueck, Brent and Samantha Barkman, Nathan and Jeneane Barkman, 22 great-grandchildren; siblings: Frances and Alphae Toews, Rosella Goossen, Melvin and Margaret, Walter and Alice, Denis and Jewel, Roland and Ann, Ralph and Florence, Peter and Bernice, Edith, Garry and Martha; Barkman in-laws: Leonard, Louis and Kathleen, Gladys Goossen, Joyce Friesen, Peter and Ethel.

Preceding her in death were her husband, her parents, her parents-in-law, one sister, one brother, six brothers-in-law, and five sisters-in-law.

We as a family are grateful for the loving care she received at Maplewood Manor.

A visitation viewing will be held from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm on Thursday, June 15, 20223 at Crossings Funeral Care, as well at the church, one hour prior to the service. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, June 16, 2023, at the Greenland Church of God in Christ Mennonite, Greenland, Manitoba, followed by the interment, reception and sharing of memories. For those unable to attend the service in person, the family invites you to join them through audio livestream. Please click here to listen.