KATHARINA SAWATZKY

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KATHARINA SAWATZKY (nee KLASSEN) September 29, 1914 - April 25, 2017 It is with great sadness that we report the passing of our dear mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother. She died peacefully after a six year stay at the Bethania Personal Care Home. Katharina had a long, difficult and meaningful life. She was much loved by her family, who credit her with the strength, courage and ability that enabled us to survive. She was born in Eichenfeld, Ukraine and experienced the hardship, starvation and tragedy so common in revolutions. Her mother died when she was only eight and she became the oldest child in a blended family of 10 children, during the Stalinist oppression. She married Gerhard Sawatzky in 1935 and they started their family of six children, two of who were later born in Canada. In 1943 during the Second World War they started a trek to the West. She was separated from her husband Gerhard in 1944 and single handedly took her family through war-torn Poland and East Germany to Canada where she was joined by Gerhard in December 1949. In 1950 they moved to Manitoba and a new life. Katharina was always the strong, steady anchor of her family; at 92 she was still the main caregiver for her husband who died in 2007 at the age of 99. At 95 she won her battle with colon cancer but needed personal care after her recovery. We thank the Bethania Personal Care Home for the excellent and loving care they provided in her last six years. She was predeceased by her husband Gerhard and son Bernhard. She is mourned by five remaining children, 14 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and a great-great-grandson, as well as by two sisters. Katharina's funeral will be held on Tuesday, May 2 at 11:00 a.m. in the Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church, 926 Garfield Street, with viewing prior to the service. Interment to follow in the Sargent Avenue Mennonite Church Cemetery in Springstein Manitoba. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Mennonite Central Committee in her honour.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 29, 2017