Sawatzky, Bernhard L. (1884-1969)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1969 Apr 18 p. 29

Birth date: 1884 Apr 26

text of obituary:

REV. BERNHARD L. SAWATZKY

Rev. Bernhard L. Sawatzky was bQrn April 26, 1884, in SQuth Russia, At the age 'Of 19 he accepted Christ as his persQnal Saviour and LQrd.

In the year 1903 he emigrated tQ Canada with his parents, hQmesteading wi,th them 'in the. Aberdeen, Sask., district. He was bapt.ized 'On July 9, 1905, and became an active member 'Of the MennQnite Brethren Q-f Aberdeen. On JuLy 25, 1911, he was married tQ Helena Wiebe 'Of Herbert, a marriage that was blessed with 11 children, five 'Of whQ.m preceded their father in death

He was ordained a minister of the gospel on October 16, 1938, under the ministry of Rev. Jacob Lepp, Rev. Henry Willems and Rev. Janzen. In 1942 the family moved away from Aberdeen to the district north of Saskatoon. His physical activity had been much restricted since 1944 when he suffered a heart attack.

During the many hours that he spent studying the Bible he wrote devotional expositions on several New Testament hooks. In recent years he had spent much time in the study of topics like God, the Creator, the Fall of Man, saving. faith, and the conflict of light and darkness. It was his wish that someday these studies might be published.

He went to be with the Lord on March ~ at the age of 84. His wife. Helena, and four daughters and one son preceded him in death. He is survived by a brother, Dave, of Abbotsford, B.C., three sons and three daughters.

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