Daniel Petker

Daniel William Petker passed away, surrounded by loved ones, in his residence at Living Care Community, Yakima, WA on August 2, 2018. Born on July 26, 1923 in Alexanderkrone, Russia to parents, Paul and Helena Poetker, he was the fifth of nine children to live to adulthood. At the age of 2 ½, the family emigrated from Russia to Canada. They eventually settled in Fairholm, Saskatchewan. It was there, he accepted Christ as his Savior just two days shy of his twelfth birthday. After serving in the Canadian Army as a Medic in WWII, Daniel attended Prairie Bible Institute in Alberta, Canada and Pacific Bible Institute in Fresno, CA. It was at PBI, where he met the love of his life, Eleanor Mable Vogt. The couple was married July 18,1952 in Corn Oklahoma. Their marriage would endure nearly 59 years. Daniel’s first Pastorate was at Sunset Gardens Church in Fresno, CA. Daniel and Eleanor embarked on a history of life-long ministry which included roles as Pastor, Preacher, Church Planter, and Teacher. They served in the States of California, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nevada, and Washington as well as the Countries of Mexico and Canada. Daniel and Eleanor were blessed with five children. The family was positively impacted by the various locations and ministries of their childhood. Through their many travel experiences, the children were exposed to a Global world-view. The family’s legacy would then include a strong faith in Christ and compassion for others throughout the World. His children, and those who knew him, all agree that to know him was to belong to the family, and a stranger was just a friend he hadn’t met yet. Daniel and Eleanor accepted, unconditionally, the people that God brought across their path and those individuals were embraced by their sincere faith. In this way, they established relationships with a multitude of people, from every walk of life, who would deeply cherish them. Daniel practiced life-style evangelism by nurturing and shepherding people. Daniel William Petker was predeceased by his wife, Eleanor M. Petker in January 2011. He is survived by six siblings and five children: Arlene (Stan) Franz of Yakima, WA; Janice (Axel) von Rappard of Carefree, AZ; Norm Petker of Cowiche, WA; Howie Petker of Vancouver, WA; Suzanne (Peter) Marinace of Yakima, WA. Additionally, Thirteen Grandchildren and Twenty Great-Grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, August 10th at 10:00 a.m. in the Meyer Auditorium at Living Care Community Yakima, WA. The Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, August 11th at 2:00 p.m. at Crawford Cemetery Battle Ground, WA. The Viewing will be held Thursday, August 9th from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home Terrace Heights, WA. In lieu of flowers, Daniel requested monetary gifts to be given to the following Ministries: Child Evangelism Fellowship or the Luis Palau Association The children are requesting gifts be given in their Father’s honor to the Summitview Health Care Center. All mailed c/o Valley Hills Funeral Home, 2600 Business Ln., Yakima, WA 98901 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Daniel Petker, please visit our flower store.