Sawatzky, Katharina Lettkeman (1883-1952)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1952 Feb 21 p.8

Birth date: 1883 Apr 28

text of obituary:

MRS. KATHARINA SAWATZKY

Katharina Lettkeman Sawatzky was born April 28, 1883, in the village of Orlof, Russia. In 1895 she emigrated from Russia with her parents, arriving in the states on June 26. They first settled in Marion county, Kansas, and then in 1900 moved to Washita county Oklahoma.

She was baptized upon the confession of her faith on August 20, 1901, in the Springfield church by Elder C. Ramseier, and in April 1908 she joined the Herold Mennonite church.

On December 18, 1901, she was united in marriage to Peter P. Sawatzky. The first five years of their married life were spent on a farm near Hydro, Oklahoma. From here they moved to their home just south of Clinton, where they lived for 43 years. Having moved to Clinton on August 28, 1950, the last days of their lives were spent here.

On February 5, 1952, at 9:20 a.m. just ten months after her husband's death, she slipped away to join him in the presence of her Lord. Had he lived just a few months longer, they would have celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on the 18th of December 1951. Besides her husband, one son who died in infancy and one grandson preceded her in death. We are grateful to God that her end came peacefully, and without great suffering. We thank the Lord for the precious memories of mother whose prayers for her children have been a constant source of comfort and challenge.

She leaves to mourn her departure 11 children, Mrs. G. H. Bergen of Clinton, Mrs. H. B. Heinrichs of Arapaho, Mrs. Rudolf Unruh of Meno, Mrs. Irvin Schmidt of Clinton, Harvey, Albert, Menno, Otto, Alvin, Elmer Sawatzky, all of Clinton, Oklahoma, and Carl Sawatzky of Bessie, Oklahoma; four sisters. Mrs. B. C. Sawatzky, of Clinton, Mrs. K. B. Wiebe of Durango, Colorado, Mrs. Gus Wagner of Tucumcari, New Mexico, and Mrs. Mary Giesbrecht of Reedley, California; two brothers, Jacob Lettkeman of Weatherford, and Peter Lettkeman of Clinton, seven daughters-in-law and four sons-in-law, 49 grandchildren, and four great grandchildren, and a host of friends.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."