Katherina (Tina) Sawatzky passed into the presence of her Lord on Monday morning September 13, 2004 at Menno Hospital at the age of 90 years. She was born on January 15, 1914 to Philip and Anna (Bestvater) Wiebe in Gnadenthal, Baratov, Russia. Her parents died when she was very young, so she was brought up by her older sister, Anna Schellenberg. In 1923 the family emigrated to Canada, settling in the village of Gnadenthal, Manitoba. Here Tina enjoyed the local church youth group and enjoyed playing the guitar, singing duets and quartets with friends. She married Jake Sawatzky in 1935, and eleven years later they moved to Winkler, Manitoba. In 1956 the family, now with eight children, moved to the Abbotsford area, where she tirelessly helped her husband develop a raspberry farm. In her later years, Tina and Jake traveled extensively, visiting Africa, Israel and China. Tina had a soft, loving demeanor with a strong faith in God and His Providence. Predeceased by her loving husband of 67 years, Jake in Dec, 2002, a great grandson, her parents, siblings: Helena Peters, Anna Schellenberg, David Wiebe, Maria Ens, Jacob Wiebe, Phillip Wiebe and their spouses. She leaves to mourn her passing, daughters: Herta (Ron) Thiessen, Erica (Peter) Suderman, Alice (Al) Willms, Hedy (Wilf) Hein and Ingrid (Ed) Suderman; sons: Helmut (Erika), John (Karen) and Carl (Colleen) , 22 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Helene Neufeld, brother-in-law Jay (Marta) Armin and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held on Thurs. Sept 16, 2004 at 7:30-9:00 pm from Woodlawn Funeral Home. Graveside Service will be held on Fri. Sept 17, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. from Maclure Rd. Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at 12:30 p.m. from Bakerview MB Church.
Woodlawn Funeral Home
604-853-2643