Sawatzky, Benjamin J. (1922-2003)

Newton Kansan obituary: 2003 Feb 17 p. 2

Birth date: 1922 Jun 23

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Mar 10 p. 7

text of obituary:

Missionary used diverse skills in India

By Mennonite Mission Network

NORTH NEWTON, Kan. — Benjamin J. Sawatzky, a mission worker in India who used his diverse skills as an administrator, architect, builder, pastor and mechanic, died Feb. 16 in Wichita. He was 80.

Sawatzky and his wife, Leona, served from 1953 to 1971 in India with the Commission on Overseas Mission of the General conference Mennonite Church.

"Ben was one of the great missionaries I had the privilege of working with in India," said Joseph Duerksen of Kansas City, who served with COM and has been an advocate for medical advancement in India.

"Whether it was designing the administrative buildings for the Champa hospital, talking with church members or fixing the brakes on a Jeep, he made a tremendous impact on the church and the community in general."

Sawatzky was born June 23, 1922, to Jacob and Cornelia (Klassen) Sawatzky at Manitou, Man. He married Leona Friesen on Aug. 20, 1943, in Mountain Lake, Minn. After several years of farming, he heard God's call to overseas mission. He graduated from Bethel College in North Newton in 1952.

In India, Sawatzky maintained the hospital facilities and vehicles, served as pastor of Champa Mennonite Church and, for the last 11 years of his assignment, was hospital business manager.

After retirement from overseas ministry, the Sawatzkys moved to Henderson, Neb., where Ben was pastor of Bethesda Mennonite church from 1972 to 1979. The Sawatzkys returned to India for two short-term assignments with Mennonite Central Committee.

In 1988, the Sawatzkys moved to North Newton. He was a member of Bethel College Mennonite Church.

He is survived by his wife, Leona, two sons, Steven of Littleton, Colo., and Monroe of Henderson; two daughters, Rosemary Kuehl of New Ulm, Minn., and Margaret Sawatzky of North Newton; two brothers, Reynold of Goshen, Ind., and Gordon of Greeley, Colo.; a sister, Annie Deckert of North Newton; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Mar 10 p. 11

text of obituary:

BENJAMIN J. SAWATZKY

Benjamin J. Sawatzky, 80, of North Newton, Kan., died Feb. 16, 2003, at Via Christi-St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita. He was born June 23, 1922, to Jacob Ferdinand and Cornelia (Klassen) Sawatzky in Manitou, Man.

He married Leona F. Friesen on Aug. 20, 1943, in Mountain Lake, Minn.

He grew up in Saskatchewan and Montana. He graduated from high school in 1940 in Madrid, Neb. He then graduated from Bethel College in North Newton in 1952 with a degree in industrial arts and a minor in Bible.

He served as a missionary in India from 1953 to 1971. He served the Champa Christian Hospital as business manager and in maintenance. He served as pastor at Bethesda Mennonite Church in Henderson, Neb., from 1972 to 1979. He remained in Henderson until 1988, when he moved to Kidron-Bethel Retirement Community in North Newton.

He was a member of Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton. His hobbies included woodworking, reading, crossword puzzles, needlepoint and handwork.

Survivors include his wife, Leona; two sons, Steven of Littleton, Colo., and Monroe of Henderson; two daughters, Rosemary Kuehl of New Ulm, Minn., and Margaret Sawatzky of North Newton; two brothers, Reynold of Goshen, Ind., and Gordon of Greeley, Colo.; a sister, Annie Deckert of North Newton; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

Funeral services were held at Bethel College Mennonite Church. A graveside service was held at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.