ENGBRECHT, Nettie Marie (née Warkentin)

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ENGBRECHT, Nettie Marie (nee Warkentin), cherished mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, passed peacefully away at Kelowna, BC, on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at the age of 83 following a courageous battle with cancer.  She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Wally, her parents Jacob and Anna and her brother Jake. She is survived by her sons Brad (Cindy) and Doug (Allison), grandsons Sam and Matthew, brother Henry Warkentin (Jane), sister Anita Brendle, nephew Jamie Warkentin, niece Kristi Caldwell (James) and grandnieces Olive and Charlotte Caldwell.

Nettie was born at home to Jacob Warkentin and Anna Klassen on December 17, 1938 on the family’s 10 acre farm at Pumptown, near Chilliwack, BC.  Her father worked as a carpenter and the family farmed dairy cows, raspberries and raised chickens.  While farm chores kept the kids busy, there was always time for laughter and mischief.  She often remarked she could drive a tractor long before she could drive a car, showing an early streak of independence that served her well throughout life.

She developed a keen work ethic on the farm and after graduating from Chilliwack High School she attended Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg with her sister Anita.  She worked at Cherry Motors in Chilliwack where she met the love of her life, Wally, who worked as a mechanic. They married in 1964 and moved to Kamloops and later to Kelowna to raise Brad and Doug.  Always a team, Nettie and Wally started a lift truck business which became Interior Lift Truck Services which was sold in 1980.  They then operated Timberline Excavating.  When she wasn’t driving Doug and Brad around in her 1965 Ford Mustang, Nettie created a warm and welcoming home to family, friends and cherished neighbours, often hosting poolside parties with Wally at the barbeque, grilling salmon he had caught at Langara Fishing Lodge.

After Wally’s passing in 1993 Nettie continued to devote herself to family and friends and embarked upon a new chapter of volunteerism, philanthropy and travel.  She volunteered with Kelowna Hostesses for many years where she made dear lifelong friends.  She travelled much of Europe with her Fraser Connection group and counted Prague, Vienna and Paris among her favorite destinations.  She travelled across Canada to the “far east” on several occasions, visiting the Atlantic provinces and enjoying time with her family and many friends in Newfoundland.  She loved her frequent trips to Palm Springs and more recently Maui, where she celebrated her 80^th birthday with family – a treasured memory for us.

Nettie was most passionate about giving back to the community which she loved and which she felt had given her so much.  She established a bursary at Okanagan Mission Secondary in Wally’s memory for graduates pursuing skilled trades and apprenticeship programs. She also was a generous supporter of the KGH Foundation and member of the Chair’s Circle.  The causes closest to her heart were cancer, cardiac, paediatric and perinatal care and JoeAnna’s House.

A lover of nature, Nettie tended to her beautiful rose gardens over the years and enjoyed the birds, especially hummingbirds and bald eagles, of the Okanagan.  Nettie was happiest sharing a glass of red wine with friends, mastering a jigsaw puzzle, going for walks, watching old movies, listening to classical music and spending time with her grandsons while preparing their favourite dish of “pasta and peas”.  In more recent months, she enjoyed reminiscing about her full life rich with love, cherished experiences and smiling faces.  She always had a ready smile and often said, “How lucky am I?!” She was easy to love and will be greatly missed.

The family is forever in debt to those who provided loving and compassionate care in her final days.  Heartfelt thanks to friend Shirley McCarthy, to Pam and Kristi at Lakeside Pharmacy, and to Home Instead – in particular, to Peg and Mandeep for the tender care provided. Many thanks as well to the staff at Kelowna Hospice House. We could not have done it without you.

Cremation has taken place at Springfield Funeral Home.  The family will be holding a private graveside service in the coming days and as requested by Nettie, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation in Nettie’s memory.

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