Lillian Heinrichs

Funeral Services for Lillian Heinrichs, 95, Corn resident will be held 10:00 A.M., Saturday, July 25, 2015 in the Corn Mennonite Brethren Church, officiated by Rev. Tim Sandy and Rev. Ken Gardner. Burial will conclude in the Corn Cemetery under the direction of the Kiesau-Lee Funeral Home. The family will greet guest at the funeral home 7:00 till 8:30 P.M., Friday, July 24, 2015. Lillian Margaret Janzen was bom to John and Katie Peters Janzen on November 2, 1919, the 4th of 10 children. She entered her heavenly home on July 16, 2015, at the age of 95. Lillian and her family lived on a farm northwest of Com, Oklahoma. She attended the OK Grade School and later Clinton High School. When she was a teenager, the family moved to California for a short time and later returned to Com. Mom and her sister Mildred were real close and played together a lot as children. The close relationship continued into their married lives when their two families often got together for ice cream—made from real cream from their cows. Often her sisters Edna and Marge and their families also joined in these get-togethers. The family attended the Bergthal Mennonite Church and later joined the Com Mennonite Brethren Church. She accepted the Lord as her personal Savior and was baptized on August 4, 1938, and joined the Com MB Church. She met Abe Warkentin at church and they were married on September 15, 1940. They settled northwest of Com for several years, spent a few months living in Com, and later moved to Abe's home place southwest of Com where they farmed. They had 4 sons: Walden, bom in 1942, Rollen Don, bom in 1944, Harold bom in 1948, and Leland, bom in 1957. Mom always wanted a girl and made beautiful embroidered dresses for each baby—only to have another son! But she took great pride in her sons, and kept up with all the details of their lives. She especially enjoyed them singing with their dad many Sunday evenings after church. And if they forgot, she would say, "Boys, you haven't sung yet." This practice has continued over the years. She kept her family well fed. Saturday suppers were often fresh baked zwieback with syrup. And a favorite of the boys was her peach pie with milk and sugar. Abe died suddenly from a heart attack on July 18, 1972. Harold and Leland continued to live with her on the farm until they were in college and Mom moved to an apartment in Com. She began corresponding with Abe Reimer from California, whom she knew from childhood, and they were married on October 8, 1977. They built a home in Com where they lived for five years until Abe's death on July 14, 1982. After some time she began seeing her neighbor, Menno Heinrichs, and they married on November 29, 1985. She moved two doors down to his home. Menno passed away on November 2, 1991. Mom enjoyed the Women's Mission Circle and was on the quilting committee for many years. She would donate the fabric for one quilt, the ladies would quilt it, she would add a crocheted edge, and then she would purchase it back at the sale—often having to bid quite high. She did this until she had a quilt for each grandchild. All of her children also received a quilt from her for their weddings. She enjoyed singing with the Senior Singers for several years. She had a very generous spirit and had a heart for giving to many ministries. She especially cared about hungry children around the world. She taught the toddlers class for many years at the church. She also babysat her younger grandchildren many times. She gave them tea parties, and lunches on the patio. In June of 2013 she moved to the Com Heritage Village Apartments where she lived a few doors down from her sister, Marge. In December of 2014 she moved in the full care facility at CHV. Mom was a special Grandma to her grandchildren and step-grandchildren, whom she treated as her own. She told them many stories of her childhood, and always had oatmeal cookies available. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husbands, Abe Warkentin, Abe Reimer and Menno Heinrichs; her brothers Willard, LeRoy, Wesley and Robert; her sisters Edna Warkentin, Florence Heidebrecht Saunders, Mildred Vogt Martin, and Maijorie Heinrichs; grandson Kevin Warkentin; step-daughter Lois Franz, and step-granddaughter Kerry Friesen. She is survived by her sons, Walden and wife Betty Warkentin of Denver, CO, Don and wife Judy Warkentin of Christiana, TN, Harold and wife Ginnie Warkentin of Com, OK, and Leland and wife Diann Warkentin of Com, OK; Grandchildren Darren and wife Annie Warkentin of Warroad, MN, Carol and husband Nick McCaslin of Hartsville, TN, Brian and wife Stephanie Warkentin of Marion, IA, Eric Warkentin of Corn, OK, Keith and wife Paige Warkentin of Birch Bay, WA, Danae and husband Kyle Schmidt of Hillsboro, KS, Lendon Warkentin and Reesa Warkentin of Com, OK; Great-grandchildren Andrea, Jillian, Bethany & Katrina Warkentin, Kristen and Breanna Warkentin, Nathan McCaslin, and Gavin Warkentin; one sister, Elda Balzer of Bartlesville, OK, and one sister-in-law, Martha Pass of Stillwater, OK. Also surviving are step-children, Bobbie Provost, Dale Heinrichs and Janice Friesen and their families, and many, many nieces, nephews and cousins. While our Mom and Grandma will be greatly missed, we know she is enjoying heaven with Jesus and those who preceded her.