Sawatzky, Margaretha Peters (1910-2007)

"Mennonite Brethren Herald" obituary: 2008 Jul p. 31 & Dec 2008 p. 30

Birth date: 1910 Dec 25

text of obituary:

MARGARETHA SAWATZKY

Margaretha Sawatzky died Dec. 31, 2007 at age 97. She was born Dec. 25, 1910 in Nikoleithal, Ukraine to David and Elizabeth Peters. She accepted Jesus as her Saviour during revival meetings in 1929 and was baptized in the Neu-Chortitza Mennonite Church. The family fled to Moscow later that fall and were among the few who were allowed to leave the country. They settled in Winkler, Man. She married Franz G. Sawatzky in 1936. He died of cancer in 1939. She continued to operate their small mixed farm in Gnadenthal, Man. until 1953 when she became cook at Mennonite Collegiate Institute, Gretna, Man., to pay for her son's education. Margaretha moved to Winnipeg in 1955, working in a sewing factory, then moved to various locations with her schoolteacher son. In 1973 she moved to Winkler, Man. She was fiercely independent, self-educated, skilled at planning programs, and interested in poetry and music. She helped others in many ways. Precedeased by her husband, 8 siblings; she is mourned by son Arthur Frank; 2 sisters; 2 sisters-in-law; nieces and nephews.

Editor's Note: This is the obituary in the Dec edition:

Margaretha (Margaret)Sawatzky died Dec. 31, 2007. She was born Dec.25, 1910 in Nikolaithal, Ukraine to David and Elizabeth Peters. Margaret was baptized in 1929 and became a member of the Neu-Chortitza Mennonite Church. She moved with her family to Canada in 1930, where they settled in Gnadenthal, Man. Margaret became a member of Gnadenthal MB, then Winkler MB Church. In 1936, she married Franz G. Sawatzky. They had a son in 1937. Frank died of cancer in 1939. Margaret continued to operate the small mixed farm they had started until 1956 when she moved in with her son. Predeceased by Frank, Margaret is survived by her son Arthur. The memorial was Jan. 4, 2008 at Winkler (Man.) MB Church.