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 born April 26, 1884, in South Russia. At the age of 19 he accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord.

In the year 1903 he emigrated to Canada with his parents, homesteading with them in the Aberdeen, Sask., district. He was baptized on July 9, 1905, and became an active member of the Mennonite Brethren of Aberdeen. On July 25, 1911, he was married to Helena Wiebe of Herbert, a marriage that was blessed with 11 children, five of whom 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 books. 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.