FRANK SAWATZKY

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

FRANK SAWATZKY

September 21, 1924 – May 31, 2025

With gratitude for his life, we announce that on May 31, 2025, our beloved father, Opa, Uropa and friend, Frank Sawatzky, passed away peacefully at Bethania Personal Care Home at the age of 100 years and 8 months.

Frank was born September 21, 1924, in Kondratyevka, Ukraine, attending school in the Chortitza region. After the war, he arrived at a refugee camp in Germany. There he came to a living faith in Jesus Christ and also met his life partner Kaethe Derksen. In December 1948, they immigrated to Canada, marrying a month later. They settled in North Kildonan and were actively involved in the North Kildonan (and later McIvor) MB churches. Attending church and supporting its mission remained a priority all his life.

He started working soon after arriving in Canada, upgrading his education until he became an architectural draftsman. A highlight of his career was becoming a drafting instructor at Red River College, which he thoroughly enjoyed for the last 13 years before retirement.

Over the years, four daughters were born to them, Hildi, Marlene, Lorie, and Lydia. In 1966, Hildi was diagnosed with leukemia and died in 1968 at the age of 18. This was a sad time for the family. Foster daughter Louise Buors joined them in 1970 and has remained a part of the family. In 1977 their first grandchild was born. They were eventually blessed with a total of seven grandchildren.

After Frank’s retirement in 1987, he and Kaethe took trips in the Americas, Europe, and Russia. When the Iron Curtain fell in 1989, Frank delved into genealogical research.

This led to a remarkable discovery: he found his sister Lena after war had separated them for 49 years. He was able to visit her on a trip to their birthplace. Frank also enjoyed writing and published several genealogies. In 2011, he published his memoir titled And It Came To Pass.

Frank became a widower in 2015. He moved to River Ridge Retirement Residence and enjoyed his stay there, especially his friendship with Ursula Grubert. In 2023, he moved to Bethania Personal Care Home (PCH).

Left to mourn his passing are his daughters Marlene Regier (Herb), Lorie Battershill, Lydia Penner (Lyle) and Louise Buors, grandchildren Melanie Olfert, Heidi Johnson, David Regier, Bill Battershill, James Battershill, Andrea Wiebe, Joel Penner, and 10 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the staff at Bethania for their compassionate care.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at McIvor MB Church, 200 McIvor Ave, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the McIvor Church’s “Campership Fund”. Envelopes for these donations will be available at the service.

In care of arrangements

Tributes: friendsfs.ca

FRANK SAWATZKY

Peacefully, on May 31, 2025, our beloved father, Opa, Uropa and friend, Frank Sawatzky, passed away at Bethania Personal Care Home at the age of 100 years and 8 months.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, June 25 at 11:00 a.m. at McIvor Mennonite Brethren Church, 200 McIvor Ave.

Longer obituary to follow in next Saturday’s edition.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 07, 2025, Jun 21, 2025