Bettie Lou Warkentin, 86, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 17, 2013, after a two year tenure with cancer. She was born on June 1, 1927, in Hooker, Oklahoma to Bernard and Barbara (Lowen) Hamm, the fourth of nine children.
On August 24, 1948 she was united in marriage to Al Warkentin and they spent the next dozen years establishing their family of 10 children.
Bettie was an industrious woman, sewing her young family’s clothes, canning, freezing and baking bread were activities she continued into her 80’s. She also actively helped with the farming.
The greatest joy of her life, according to Bettie, was the years the babies came. Bettie’s second greatest joy was her Bible study group of 30 years, began the year she retired.
Bettie is survived by her husband, Albert Warkentin; her children, Sylvia, Clarice (Daryl), Naomi (Garry), Mark, Jim (Tina), Rosalee (Paul) and Thelly (Lee); siblings, Nellie, Frieda, Ernest, and Michael; 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her eldest three sons, Phillip, Douglas and Steven.
A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, September 20, 2013, at the Bow Cemetery, with Pastor Rich DeRuiter presiding. A time of visitation will be available from 9:00 to 5:00, Thursday, at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.
Being the oldest daughter of Bettie…I remember to times we worked in the kitchen together…preschool..I had my rolling pin & lots of flour to work my pie dough..I remember mom weeping while ironing..I thot it was for joy because the bible says, joy comes in the morning…I loved how we started our day with bible reading out of The Book, then blessing the day with the Promises of God. One scripture that pieced my soul from as early as I can remember…The eyes of the LORD ARE EVER ON ME..How Safe Can I Get.
Thank You Mom..for being the BEST Daughter of the KING
Some years ago, Bettie and I met for lunch with a mutual friend who had lost a child. I sat quietly and deeply touched as Bettie with a strong, deep faith in the promises of Christ Jesus and compassion, which only someone who had herself knew the premature loss of a child, ministered to our friend. What a precious woman of God! Our love and prayers are with the family.
I will never forget the time I spent at Bettie’s and the things she taught me…how to bake pumpkins whole for pies, how to bake bread in big tuna cans and how to pull homemade taffy. Our family spent a lot of time there since my sister, Vivian, and I were friends with the girls. My mom and Bettie were also great friends. Bettie was always ready with a smile and we will miss her greatly. She was truly a great lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Barb
One of my favorite memories, and there are many, is one day Bettie stopped in my house.
We decided, to read a bit of Revelation because we had a few minutes. And reading that book had a
Blessing , so we started reading, and stopping ith a question here and there. Well we read the entire book and it was about 3:30 when she said, “oh I forgot about Al’s lunch”. She brought a passion into my life for The Lord, His word, and especially the Old Testament. She and I studied together 8 years having the first bible study in my home. She will always have a very special place in my heart, and life. I love you Betty!