We Remember
WARKENTIN, JACOB “JAKE”
—
Passed away peacefully on Monday, May 5, 2014, on the morning of his 68th birthday. He is sadly predeceased by his loving wife Julie, and survived by his son Jamie; daughter Kristi, son-in-law James and granddaughter Olive; sisters Nettie and Anita; brother Henry and sister-in-law Jane; nephew Brad and wife Cindy; nephew Doug, wife Allison and their sons Sam and Matthew.
Along with Julie, Jake started Kelowna Steel Fabricators in 1973. During the past 41 years, Jake built countless business relationships and friendships in the community. He exemplified what it meant to do good business, and he always treated every customer, and every member of his staff, with kindness and respect. Kelowna Steel continues to prosper today in the capable hands of his son Jamie.
In 1993, Jake and Julie built the log home of their dreams, and always had an open door to family and friends for countless gatherings and good cheer. Jake spent much of his spare time working on his ‘famous’ tractor collection. An active member of the Okanagan Antique Power Club, he took great pride in restoring many of his tractors to their original glory, and sharing them with generations young and old. Until Julie passed away in 2010, she and Jake also embarked on numerous travel adventures, many of which were taken in their much enjoyed ‘home on wheels’.
Most of all, Jake was a devoted husband, father, and treasured friend to those who were lucky enough to know him. He will be missed and loved always.
A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 1:00 pm at Evangel Church, 3261 Gordon Drive, Kelowna, BC. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, 2268 Pandosy St, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 1T2. For those wishing to send a condolence, photos or share memories, may do so by scrolling down this page to the area called “Share Your Condolences”.
Service
Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 1:00 pm
Location
Evangel Church
Share with Others:
Kelowna General Hospital Foundation, 2268 Pandosy St, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 1T2
Service Information
Service Details
The service for WARKENTIN, JACOB “JAKE” is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, 2014 at 1:00 pm. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
Evangel Church
3261 Gordon Drive Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
I have to say that when I was introduced to Jake several years ago by Ernie Koch, I knew then that I was sharing time with another great person. Jake and Ernie were two people who were great gentlemen. Great men who were excellent at their jobs and would do anything for you. This is a club that I hope some day to belong to. My prayers and thoughts go to you Jamie and your family. Jake is with Julie and that’s good.
To Jamie and Kristi;
Please know from my broken heart and many tears that I am so sorry for your loss. This is so sad. I know how much he loved both of you. He loved his family. I can’t remember a haircut where he didn’t mention the love for his family. What a proud man. We will see you on Tuesday.
Those of us who had Jake as a sub contractor have just suffered a great loss. Jake was always true to his word. If he said a product would be there on Tuesday it would be there on Tuesday. To me Jake was also a friend who always had the time to visit with you and enjoyed a good discussion on just about anything. Jake was a man who few will ever measure up to. He will be surly missed.
Herb Irwin.
Retired Septra Projects.
Earth has no Sorrow that Heaven cannot Heal
With our deepest Respect and Love to you Jamie and Kristi and all the Families
our Condolences to you all
Monte and Nancy Sandvoss
I was very saddened to read of Jake’s passing, I first met Jake through my father Archie who always said if anyone could build something out of steel it would be Jake! We would bring any job big or small to see Jake and he would take care of it. Life is sometimes not fair to take the really good people too early. I am out of town and will not be able to attend the service for Jake but our thoughts will be with you. Brian August
We are so very sorry with the passing of your Dad. He was a person who always had a moment in his busy schedual to listen to you. I will miss him a lot.
He will be in my heart forever.
Jamie, sorry to hear about your dads passing. My deepest condolences. Jake has worked with me on several projects with Okanagan College and The Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia. Very grateful of his involvement. Henry
Shocked and saddened when I heard the news. Jake’s done a lot for us over the decades. Everyone here will definitely miss him. All the best to you Jamie. Your Dad will be fondly remembered through you my friend.
I am so very for your loss. Jake and Julie were the nicest people I ever met.
It is very hard to express in a few words, how very special Jake was to myself, and obviously every other person he touched in his life. We always hear after someone has passed, what a good person they were or, how nice they were. Well this is one case where besides being the absolute truth,it is a gross understatement.He will be sorely missed, my deepest sympathy to your family.
Our sincere condolences to the family on the loss of a great man. He left us far too soon and will be missed by many.
Jamie and Kristi,
We are sorry to hear of your dear father’s passing.
We have fond memories of his and your mother’s visit to newfoundland in their prized motor home in 2008 , and their kindness when we visited Kelowna and especially a delightful Christmas dinner in their marvelous log home with its bright decorations and twenty ft. Christmas tree.
Please pass on our condolences to Uncle Henry,Aunts Nettie and Anita, Brad and Cindy and Doug and Allison
Jamie & Family,So sorry for your loss,I will miss him too, didn’t
see him often, but when I did he treated me as if I saw him everyday. Such a kind man. I was just bragging the other day to a stucco guy how my mud stands Jake built, were so much better than the one’s he had just bought. Take Care, see you soon Ian
Jamie and family, I was so sorry to hear of Jake’s passing away. He was a great friend and someone I had great respect for.
We were very sad to hear that Jake had passed away. We had been looking forward to strengthening our relationship with him and Jamie through the marriage of Kristi and James. Unfortunately this is not to be. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time. Your Ottawa family – Dionne, Bill, Sam and Chris.
So sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Jake had a way of making strong connections with his many friends and we will miss him very much. Mike looked forward to birthday cheers and beers with Jake whenever he was in town on their shared birthday. We will always remember Jake and Julie’s warm, inviting presence and them indulging us in “touring” through their wonderful antiques and tractor collection.
I am so sorry to hear of Jake’s passing. He was always so nice, handing me small jobs when I first started my business & introducing me to the members of the Pioneer Club. I wish I would have made it out to his shop on the farm, he spoke so fondly of it. You will be missed!
We were very sorry to hear of Jake passing, sending our prayers and thoughts. We have very fond memories of Mr Jake, he will be sadly missed
My sincere condolences to Jamie and Kristi. I am so sad to have lost such a dear friend.
He came into my life as a customer and became a very good friend. He will be missed.
they say you pass away twice. once when the breath leaves you, and once when your name is spoken for last time. Jake wont be gone as long as we speak of him and remember him as the man he was, a good friend and mentor
Jamie, Kristi and family
As a neighbour and friend I I will miss Jake. he was generous to a fault. His heart was as big as his motor home. It was tragic for him to lose his beloved wife on the verge their golden years. The world will not be same without him.
To Jakes family, I am sad to hear the news of your lose. For the years I knew Jake through business he was always a great guy to deal with. I will miss sitting across the desk from him and seeing that great big hat he always wore and the chats we would have. Jamie, you have some pretty big boots to fill and I am sure you will do a great job carrying on for your dad.I look forward to seeing his hat on your head the next time I visit the shop. Deepest Regards, Jeff Gibbs from Freightliner.
My heartfelt condolences to all of Jake’s family and Nettie’s family. I have wonderful memories of times spent with your family. God Bless and Keep you and grant you Peace. With Love -Your cousin, Mary
I will miss stopping by to see Jake when I’m in Kelowna. He will be missed in the business community as a solid, dependable, meticulous craftsman. Many people started out as Jake’s customer and ended up being Jake’s friend, as I did. His Friday night “safety meetings” are high on my list of good memories from years ago. I was glad that Jake and Julie got to do some travelling. They worked hard and deserved more time to play. Life just isn’t fair sometimes. My sincere condolences.
“A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be.” ~Douglas Pagels