The leader who blossomed in crisis

We all model our lives on stories we’ve heard and the people who exist in those stories. There are, of course, the biblical accounts of God’s people and Jesus. But there are also stories closer to home. The stories of our parents, grandparents, or people we hear about often make a profound impact on who we are and what we work at becoming.

This series looks at some of those stories as told by people within our Canadian Mennonite Brethren church family.

Born in Tchongrav, Ukraine, Katarina Huebert Warkentin celebrated her 100th birthday October 13, 2007. She is a quiet, faithful Christian who rose to the challenge of leading a group of some 50 refugees through the most turbulent times of the previous century.

Katarina Warkentin on her 100th birthday.

Katarina grew up on a comfortable farm subsequently shattered by the Russian Revolution and two world wars. As a child, she memorized songs and Scripture at home and church. Little did she know how important this would be later in life.

In 1937, nine years after Katarina’s marriage to Frank Warkentin, he was deported to Siberia – as were thousands of other men – never to be seen again. She was left with their only child, Frank.

As the German front advanced into their region during World War II, the Russian military ordered Katarina’s village to pack and leave. The government was sending them to Siberia. Quickly they baked bags of zwiebach (a unique Dutch German bun) and roasted them for the journey. Villagers loaded onto rail cars and travelled for days.

Katarina and her son Frank.

At one point, the train was detained close to the German front. Officials commanded the travellers to get off and wait beside the tracks. Katarina’s group decided to sneak away. For weeks, they walked during the night and hid during the day. When their zwiebach ran out, they sent the children to beg for food. Finally they arrived in the village of Tiege, occupied by the Germans.

Amazingly, it was during this time of massive social upheaval that Katarina’s quiet, authoritative leadership blossomed. She organized Sunday schools for the children. She began a worship service and preached from a book of sermons they had found. She formed a small choir and served as conductor. With no Bibles or books, all the activities were based upon songs and Scripture the adults had memorized as youths. Through these makeshift church services, a number of people found faith in Christ Jesus.

The group was then forced to move once again – this time with wagons supplied by the German army. Weeks later they made it to Hohenbostel, a small village near Hanover, Germany. Katarina again began a Sunday school, church services, and a choir.

Eventually making contact with the Red Cross, Katarina, her son Frank, and other family members immigrated to Canada in 1948.

Soon Katarina was involved with Central Mennonite Brethren Church in Winnipeg. She faithfully attended worship services, Bible studies, and ladies meetings until she was no longer able. The woman who had taken on the mantle of being the strong, spiritual leader of a small group now moved into the role of faithful servant within the congregation.

When the need arose, Katarina had risen to the challenge and motivated many people with her fearless courage and Christ-inspired leadership.

The group Katarina led out of Russia, in Hohenbostel, Germany.

Ken Reddig is director of the Centre for MB Studies, Winnipeg.