Kathryn Ruth Warkentine
April 24, 1964 - November 7, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kathryn Warkentine (nee Gilbertson) after a long struggle with ALS. She remained at home until the end of her life, with extraordinary care provided by her family and friends. She was surrounded by her family when she died, and all are heartbroken to lose her. She is survived by her husband Lorne Warkentine and their three children Levi, Tessa and Aaron. A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Winkler Manitoba on November 15, 2025 at 2pm.
Kathy was born in St. Louis Missouri, on April 24, 1964, to Leon and Helen Gilbertson. The youngest of three, she enjoyed the attention of sister Kristine and brother David. A curious, well-behaved child, she rarely required her cute looks and witty humour to get out of trouble. She loved summers on the farm in the small town of Frontier, Saskatchewan, surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
As a pastor’s child, she experienced big cities and small communities. During her school years, she lived in St Louis Missouri, Torquay SK, Vancouver BC, Burnaby BC, Winnipeg MB and Outlook SK. Kathy was a soprano in church choirs and participated in all church youth group activities. At school, she had a flare for musicals, choir, theatre and public speaking. Her accomplishments include outstanding choral award, participation in the CBC high school choir national finals and the provincial drama finals.
After high school, Kathy pursued an arts degree in English, and later Norwegian studies. Her studies took her to University of Manitoba (1982-83), University of Saskatchewan (1983-85), Hurdal Verk Folk School in Norway (1985-86), Camrose Lutheran College (1986-87) and University of Winnipeg (1990-92). During university years, she performed with an auditioned chorus, the Greystone Singers.
At the University of Saskatchewan, she roomed with her cousin, Joy and friend, Karen. They described living with Kathy as a joyful experience, bringing fun and enthusiasm into their lives. Kathy implemented ½ birthday parties, so that all received due celebration. Their place became so popular, they had to post a closed sign to study in the evenings.
During her year off from university to study at Norwegian Folk School, she learned Norwegian, knitting sweaters, and “how to live on a mountain” where she cross country skied and winter camped, embracing her Norwegian roots. After her studies in Norway, Kathy travelled Europe. Upon her return, she demonstrated to her brother how she could “drive like a European”. She promptly burned rubber in his manual 1977 Rabbit VW!
Kathy came back to Winnipeg and worked in several secretarial jobs in 1987-89 including the Winnipeg Conservatory of Music. In June 1988 Kathy met the love of her life, Lorne, with help from her brother David. Kathy stole the phone from David, interrupted their coaching discussion, and talked to Lorne deep into the night. She appreciated humour, and since Lorne was full of it (wit, that is) they hit it off. They proclaimed their commitment to each other on June 8th 1990. The wedded couple lived in Winnipeg both working on their education degrees and attending Bethel Mennonite Church. In spring of 1992 Lorne was hired for a term at Shoal Lake 40, while Kathy finished her B Ed in Winnipeg. Kathy was hired by the Chief to fill a Kindergarten position at Shoal Lake. Since Lorne had by this time become teacher principal Kathy would joke that she got her first teaching position sleeping with the principal.
In the summer of 1992, they moved to Winkler to follow Lorne’s teaching placement at Garden Valley Collegiate (GVC). Kathy got her first term position, teaching high school English at Nellie McClung Collegiate in Manitou. After Kathy’s term ended, she started subbing and term placements for several years at GVC, teaching English, Choir, and ICT/typing.
In the spring of 1993, Lorne and Kathy purchased their first property, a small acreage in Blumstein, which allowed the couple to have their own garden and enjoy rural living. Later that summer, an invitation from Rick and Kristine Schroeder to their cabin led to what became, an annual trip for the Warkentine family.
On Good Friday, March of 1997, Kathy and Lorne welcomed their first born, Levi, and immediately learned how to be first time parents during the ‘97 Storm of the Century. They welcomed two more children, Tessa in October 2000 and Aaron in September 2002. Kathy’s children were the light of her life, and she took great pride in caring for them. She prepared them for school every day, was the head cook, chauffer, tutor and general manager of their busy lives.
Kathy received a permanent contract in the GVC English department in the early 2000’s and taught alongside many teachers in the GVC/NPC English departments. Many colleagues became good friends and mentors to Kathy during her teaching years. Kathy took pride in her teaching and inspired students to put great work and effort into their writing.
Kathy devoted time to many pursuits and causes. This included teaching Sunday School at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, helping run the food booth and exhibition hall at the Winkler Harvest Festival for the Stanley Agricultural Society, running the Winkler Minor Soccer Association as an executive and coach, coaching young cross-country skiers and serving as secretary for Boundary Trails Nordic, and helping manage high school musicals and Toastmasters club.
While Kathy loved time spent on school and community, she also loved her home and yard. Gardening and canning made for busy, sweltering summer days, highlighted by her amazing roll kuchen. When not marking English assignments, Kathy spent lots of time reading, at the end of the day in bed, on the deck surveying the yard, or at the lake. Kathy came into her element at Christmas, making her favourite Norwegian baking alongside her mother Helen, sister Kristine, and eventually her daughter Tessa. These include krumkake, sandbakkels, lefsa, and bordstables bakkels, the perfect deserts for Christmas festivities. The annual Christmas letter was her Magnum Opus, with each uniquely themed letter showcasing her creative, humourous, and intelligent writing.
Kathy retired from teaching in 2022 after 25+ years. Kathy was excited to join Lorne in retirement to enjoy experiences outside of teaching, including travel and volunteerism. While she spent some time subbing, she really enjoyed Wednesday morning coffee time at Emmanuel, pickleball, and assisting her parents, Leon and Helen, and mother in-law, Mary. Kathy continued to be a support to her friend and former colleague Margaret Dudgeon.
In March 2023, Kathy experienced her first symptoms of ALS. This became a long and arduous process as Kathy’s symptoms progressed, slowly impairing her motor skills and speech. After several medical visits, Kathy was diagnosed with ALS in February of 2024. In the following months, symptoms progressed to where she could not move, speak and breathing very difficult. In her final weeks, she enjoyed many visits from family and friends especially her Thursday ladies’ group. On November 7, 2025, surrounded by her family in her beloved home, Kathy was released to the Lord to join her loved ones in Heaven.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 35 years, Lorne, children Levi, Tessa, and Aaron, her father Leon Gilbertson (Camrose, AB), sister Kristine Gilbertson (Camrose, AB), and brother David Gilbertson (Calgary, AB). Kathy is also survived by her mother in-law Mary Warkentine (Morden), her sister’s in-law Ella May Warkentine (Morden), Carol (Richard) Bergman (Grunthal), and her brother’s in-law Randy (Nancy) Warkentine (Osterwick) and Kevin (Collen) Warkentine (Osterwick) and her many nieces and nephews. Kathy is predeceased by her mother Helen Gilbertson and father in-law Art Warkentine.
Lorne and the family would like to extend their gratitude to Kathy’s palliative team at Boundary Trails Health Centre, the ALS Society of Manitoba, the Motor Neuron Clinic Deer Lodge Centre, Emmanuel Mennonite Church, and all the family and friends that supported Kathy and the family.
April 24, 1964 - November 7, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kathryn Warkentine (nee Gilbertson) after a long struggle with ALS. She remained at home until the end of her life, with extraordinary care provided by her family and friends. She was surrounded by her family when she died, and all are heartbroken to lose her. She is survived by her husband Lorne Warkentine and their three children Levi, Tessa and Aaron. A memorial service will be held at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, Winkler Manitoba on November 15, 2025 at 2pm.
Kathy was born in St. Louis Missouri, on April 24, 1964, to Leon and Helen Gilbertson. The youngest of three, she enjoyed the attention of sister Kristine and brother David. A curious, well-behaved child, she rarely required her cute looks and witty humour to get out of trouble. She loved summers on the farm in the small town of Frontier, Saskatchewan, surrounded by many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
As a pastor’s child, she experienced big cities and small communities. During her school years, she lived in St Louis Missouri, Torquay SK, Vancouver BC, Burnaby BC, Winnipeg MB and Outlook SK. Kathy was a soprano in church choirs and participated in all church youth group activities. At school, she had a flare for musicals, choir, theatre and public speaking. Her accomplishments include outstanding choral award, participation in the CBC high school choir national finals and the provincial drama finals.
After high school, Kathy pursued an arts degree in English, and later Norwegian studies. Her studies took her to University of Manitoba (1982-83), University of Saskatchewan (1983-85), Hurdal Verk Folk School in Norway (1985-86), Camrose Lutheran College (1986-87) and University of Winnipeg (1990-92). During university years, she performed with an auditioned chorus, the Greystone Singers.
At the University of Saskatchewan, she roomed with her cousin, Joy and friend, Karen. They described living with Kathy as a joyful experience, bringing fun and enthusiasm into their lives. Kathy implemented ½ birthday parties, so that all received due celebration. Their place became so popular, they had to post a closed sign to study in the evenings.
During her year off from university to study at Norwegian Folk School, she learned Norwegian, knitting sweaters, and “how to live on a mountain” where she cross country skied and winter camped, embracing her Norwegian roots. After her studies in Norway, Kathy travelled Europe. Upon her return, she demonstrated to her brother how she could “drive like a European”. She promptly burned rubber in his manual 1977 Rabbit VW!
Kathy came back to Winnipeg and worked in several secretarial jobs in 1987-89 including the Winnipeg Conservatory of Music. In June 1988 Kathy met the love of her life, Lorne, with help from her brother David. Kathy stole the phone from David, interrupted their coaching discussion, and talked to Lorne deep into the night. She appreciated humour, and since Lorne was full of it (wit, that is) they hit it off. They proclaimed their commitment to each other on June 8th 1990. The wedded couple lived in Winnipeg both working on their education degrees and attending Bethel Mennonite Church. In spring of 1992 Lorne was hired for a term at Shoal Lake 40, while Kathy finished her B Ed in Winnipeg. Kathy was hired by the Chief to fill a Kindergarten position at Shoal Lake. Since Lorne had by this time become teacher principal Kathy would joke that she got her first teaching position sleeping with the principal.
In the summer of 1992, they moved to Winkler to follow Lorne’s teaching placement at Garden Valley Collegiate (GVC). Kathy got her first term position, teaching high school English at Nellie McClung Collegiate in Manitou. After Kathy’s term ended, she started subbing and term placements for several years at GVC, teaching English, Choir, and ICT/typing.
In the spring of 1993, Lorne and Kathy purchased their first property, a small acreage in Blumstein, which allowed the couple to have their own garden and enjoy rural living. Later that summer, an invitation from Rick and Kristine Schroeder to their cabin led to what became, an annual trip for the Warkentine family.
On Good Friday, March of 1997, Kathy and Lorne welcomed their first born, Levi, and immediately learned how to be first time parents during the ‘97 Storm of the Century. They welcomed two more children, Tessa in October 2000 and Aaron in September 2002. Kathy’s children were the light of her life, and she took great pride in caring for them. She prepared them for school every day, was the head cook, chauffer, tutor and general manager of their busy lives.
Kathy received a permanent contract in the GVC English department in the early 2000’s and taught alongside many teachers in the GVC/NPC English departments. Many colleagues became good friends and mentors to Kathy during her teaching years. Kathy took pride in her teaching and inspired students to put great work and effort into their writing.
Kathy devoted time to many pursuits and causes. This included teaching Sunday School at Emmanuel Mennonite Church, helping run the food booth and exhibition hall at the Winkler Harvest Festival for the Stanley Agricultural Society, running the Winkler Minor Soccer Association as an executive and coach, coaching young cross-country skiers and serving as secretary for Boundary Trails Nordic, and helping manage high school musicals and Toastmasters club.
While Kathy loved time spent on school and community, she also loved her home and yard. Gardening and canning made for busy, sweltering summer days, highlighted by her amazing roll kuchen. When not marking English assignments, Kathy spent lots of time reading, at the end of the day in bed, on the deck surveying the yard, or at the lake. Kathy came into her element at Christmas, making her favourite Norwegian baking alongside her mother Helen, sister Kristine, and eventually her daughter Tessa. These include krumkake, sandbakkels, lefsa, and bordstables bakkels, the perfect deserts for Christmas festivities. The annual Christmas letter was her Magnum Opus, with each uniquely themed letter showcasing her creative, humourous, and intelligent writing.
Kathy retired from teaching in 2022 after 25+ years. Kathy was excited to join Lorne in retirement to enjoy experiences outside of teaching, including travel and volunteerism. While she spent some time subbing, she really enjoyed Wednesday morning coffee time at Emmanuel, pickleball, and assisting her parents, Leon and Helen, and mother in-law, Mary. Kathy continued to be a support to her friend and former colleague Margaret Dudgeon.
In March 2023, Kathy experienced her first symptoms of ALS. This became a long and arduous process as Kathy’s symptoms progressed, slowly impairing her motor skills and speech. After several medical visits, Kathy was diagnosed with ALS in February of 2024. In the following months, symptoms progressed to where she could not move, speak and breathing very difficult. In her final weeks, she enjoyed many visits from family and friends especially her Thursday ladies’ group. On November 7, 2025, surrounded by her family in her beloved home, Kathy was released to the Lord to join her loved ones in Heaven.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 35 years, Lorne, children Levi, Tessa, and Aaron, her father Leon Gilbertson (Camrose, AB), sister Kristine Gilbertson (Camrose, AB), and brother David Gilbertson (Calgary, AB). Kathy is also survived by her mother in-law Mary Warkentine (Morden), her sister’s in-law Ella May Warkentine (Morden), Carol (Richard) Bergman (Grunthal), and her brother’s in-law Randy (Nancy) Warkentine (Osterwick) and Kevin (Collen) Warkentine (Osterwick) and her many nieces and nephews. Kathy is predeceased by her mother Helen Gilbertson and father in-law Art Warkentine.
Lorne and the family would like to extend their gratitude to Kathy’s palliative team at Boundary Trails Health Centre, the ALS Society of Manitoba, the Motor Neuron Clinic Deer Lodge Centre, Emmanuel Mennonite Church, and all the family and friends that supported Kathy and the family.