John Lawrence Walrath

On February 2, 2010, John Lawrence Walrath passed away at the age of 85. John Walrath (Jack) was born near Hawarden, SK on November 6th, 1924, the middle child in a family of seven. John was predeceased by his father, John Sr. and his mother Mynee (nee Brown), and five sisters: Rosalie Tangeman (Carl), Marion Larson (Clarence), Marvel Olsen, Leah Kinney, and Betty Reilly. He is survived by his brother, Douglas Walrath (Elaine) of Winnipeg, and four brothers-in- law: John Reilly, Eugene Olson, Wilfred Kinney, and Gerald Alexander. John also leaves to mourn: his wife of 64 years, Phyllis Gertrude (nee Langman),  two daughters, BrendaBabich (Randy)  of Moose Jaw, and Bonnie Hallett (Gord) of Okotoks AB. Jack and Phyllis’s family extended to 5 grand-children and nine great-grand-children: Jeremie Hallett (Becki) with Raevyn and Indy from Kelowna, Josh Hallett (Dara) with Sam, Josiah, and Luke from Buffalo Narrows,  Jessica Jacobson (Chris) with Prairie and Hawkins from Winnipeg, Natasha Frentz (Chad) with Tessa and Judah from Regina, and Nathan John Babich from Arlington Beach. “Grandpa Jack” will also be missed by many nieces and nephews and scores of friends and travelling companions from numerous trips to over 50 countries. John married Phyllis Langman of Weyburn on October 10, 1945, and they began 64 years of ministry together.  They both studied at the Moose Jaw Bible School (later to be named Aldersgate College) and began their pastoral ministry at Westview Church as newlyweds. Phyllis then supported Jack through five more years of student pastoring and study at Greenville College in Illinois and Asbury Seminary in Kentucky. They returned to Canada in 1952 and moved with two small daughters to Estevan to pastor the Free Methodist Church there for seven years. Then John became the Conference Superintendent and moved to Moose Jaw, spending the next 19 years overseeing the churches of the prairies. The next 12 years of ministry were as Director of Arlington Beach Camp and Conference Centre, a position held until his retirement in 1990. Arlington Beach continued to be their home until they moved to nearby Strasbourg in 2002.  The last year and a half was spent at The Bentley in Moose Jaw where both Jack and Phyllis enjoyed the hospitality and thoughtful consideration of the residents and staff. A funeral service will be held at Moose Jaw Funeral Home 268 Mulberry Lane, on Monday, February 8th, 2010 at 2:00 pm.  Memorials may be directed to Arlington Beach Camp and Conference Center (Sponsor a Child to Summer Camp), Cymric SK, S0G 0Z0.