Sawatzky, Isaac Peter (1886-1974)

Mennonite Brethren Herald obituary: 1974 Oct 04 p. 30

Birth date: 1886 Feb 05

text of obituary:

ISAAC PETER SAWATZKY

Isaac Peter Sawatzky was born February 5, 1886 in Taurida, Russia. He spent most of his life in Rueckenau, southern Russia, where he accepted the Lord as his Saviour in his teens, was baptized May 20 , 1906 and admitted to the Mennonite Brethren Church. In 1911 he was joined in marriage to Aganeta Wiens and in 1924 they immigrated to Canada, moving in 1928 to the Fraser Valley, where he built the first house in Yarrow.

In 1931 he pioneered again on the stump land of South Abbotsford. He was also active in establishing the first Mennonite Brethren Church there, and became the first deacon, serving for 25 years. He was concerned about the sick and shut-ins, whom he tirelessly visited , often by bicycle in those early years.

He was predeceased by Mrs. Sawatzky in 1965. He passed into the presence of the Lord August 4, at the age of 88 and six months.

He leaves to mourn two sons and two daughters: Isaac of Aldergrove, Peter of Sao Paulo, Brazil, Mrs. J. (Anne) DeFehr and Mrs. Vern (Elfrieda) Friesen, both of Clearbrook; also one adopted daughter, Mrs. Peter Lohrenz of Russia; 12 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are two sisters in the Menno Home Mrs. Tina Harder and Miss Neta Sawatzky.