Private funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 5, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Wiebe Funeral Chapel, Morden. No public viewing. Interment to follow at HIllside Cemetery, Morden. Memorial donations to Tabor Home Inc.
Obituary of Helen Sawatzky (nee Enns)
1936 ~ 2022
Helen (Enns) Sawatzky was born October 21, 1936 to Henry and Helena Enns. She was second oldest in a family of 12 children.
*She was predeceased by 2 daughters; Verna Marlene (in Infancy,) Shirley (Jan. 18, 2015) and
1 Sister; Betty Friesen (Jan. 3, 2021).
*She is survived by Her Husband: John Sawatzky
1 Son and 4 Daughters – Diana, Bruce (Darlene), Connie (Jake), Darlene (Troy) and AJ (Lawrence)
13 Grand Children and 14 Great Grand Children
Growing up, Mom had no problem keeping herself busy at home, being second oldest of 12 children. There was always a nose to wipe, a meal to prepare, laundry to do, hugs to give or outside chores to help out with.
Mom was a quiet woman who loved family and God. She didn’t always tell us but we just knew that she prayed often for us. She also had a feisty side to her. With so many brothers, she needed this. Here is one example. Apparently her brothers would think it was good fun to run up to the front door, knock and then run off watching from a distance as their sister would open the door and find no one there. With a look of frustration, Mom would close the door and return to her chores. After several repeated knocking performances, Mom decided that she would not go to the door again. The boys grew tired of this prank since it was no longer working and finally left to play other games. When a knock was heard later in the day, Mom had already decided that she would not fall for their prank again. At first she ignored the knock but the knock came again. She shouted out “Come in if your nose is clean!” The door knob turned and what a surprise was hers when in walked, not her brothers, but rather the pastor of their church. I can only image the rush of red that must have filled her face!
Mom was 21 when she met and soon after married John Sawatzky in 1957. I love their story of how they met because it is truly a love story. Mom and Dad were set up on a blind date. They were to meet at a wiener roast and when they were introduced to each other, Dad said that it was love at first sight. His love for her has never faded, in fact they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past December 15th. I have always felt so blessed to have parents who often held hands and walked together.
Mom has always stood by her man whether in good times or tough times. She had a life of adventure being married to Dad. I’m sure that she knew how to do more tasks than most people. From dairy farming, beef farming, Honey (bee) farming, driving machinery, stooking bales, home care worker and who knows what all, but she could do it all. She was a very hard worker and would only take a break once a day at 3:00 in the afternoon. Why at that specific time you ask? This was because my mom had to see the next episode of “The Edge of Night”. (the Soap-opera of the day) . We all looked forward to this time as well because if Mom was going to stop working so were we. Down would go the garden hoes and off to the house! If they only knew how dedicated this fan was!
Mom was a gentle, thoughtful, loving woman, loved by all. She didn’t get angry often but if you stepped on her toes, look out! You knew that she was angry! Those eyes said it all.
Mom loved babies and if there was a baby in the room, it wouldn’t take long and it would be in her arms safe and sound and likely sleeping. She loved raising her own children and as the grandbabies began to come she was in all her glory. Mom loved her grandchildren and they loved her. One of our kids put it this way, “I don’t think that there was ever a more gentle and kind grandma around.” Just imagine her excitement when the Great Grandchildren started to arrive! More babies to hold!
As life went on Mom and Dad settled down in Morden, MB. They cared for Shirley at the start of her illness and Mom’s heart broke the day we moved Shirley to the care home. She found it very hard to see one of her “babies” go through what Shirley did. But when Shirley passed on, she was so excited knowing that Shirley was free and safe with Jesus.
Now, dearest Mommy, it is your turn to see Jesus and Shirley, Verna Marlene, and many others whose lives we know you have touched. We will miss your gentle touch, your words of encouragement, the soft eyes that said “I love you”, that feisty look that said “Don’t mess with my family!” and the many prayers that each of us knew you were saying for us. Oh how you will be missed.
These verses are for you Mom;
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. …a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the City gate.” Proverbs 31:28 29, 30-31
There was one other thing that Mom loved to do and that was to swing! She could swing higher and faster than any of us and she would squeal and laugh like a school girl. I can picture her swinging and singing “I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away!”
A special thankyou to the staff of Tabor Home for their exceptional care.
Obituary of Helen Sawatzky (nee Enns)
1936 ~ 2022
Helen (Enns) Sawatzky was born October 21, 1936 to Henry and Helena Enns. She was second oldest in a family of 12 children.
*She was predeceased by 2 daughters; Verna Marlene (in Infancy,) Shirley (Jan. 18, 2015) and
1 Sister; Betty Friesen (Jan. 3, 2021).
*She is survived by Her Husband: John Sawatzky
1 Son and 4 Daughters – Diana, Bruce (Darlene), Connie (Jake), Darlene (Troy) and AJ (Lawrence)
13 Grand Children and 14 Great Grand Children
Growing up, Mom had no problem keeping herself busy at home, being second oldest of 12 children. There was always a nose to wipe, a meal to prepare, laundry to do, hugs to give or outside chores to help out with.
Mom was a quiet woman who loved family and God. She didn’t always tell us but we just knew that she prayed often for us. She also had a feisty side to her. With so many brothers, she needed this. Here is one example. Apparently her brothers would think it was good fun to run up to the front door, knock and then run off watching from a distance as their sister would open the door and find no one there. With a look of frustration, Mom would close the door and return to her chores. After several repeated knocking performances, Mom decided that she would not go to the door again. The boys grew tired of this prank since it was no longer working and finally left to play other games. When a knock was heard later in the day, Mom had already decided that she would not fall for their prank again. At first she ignored the knock but the knock came again. She shouted out “Come in if your nose is clean!” The door knob turned and what a surprise was hers when in walked, not her brothers, but rather the pastor of their church. I can only image the rush of red that must have filled her face!
Mom was 21 when she met and soon after married John Sawatzky in 1957. I love their story of how they met because it is truly a love story. Mom and Dad were set up on a blind date. They were to meet at a wiener roast and when they were introduced to each other, Dad said that it was love at first sight. His love for her has never faded, in fact they celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past December 15th. I have always felt so blessed to have parents who often held hands and walked together.
Mom has always stood by her man whether in good times or tough times. She had a life of adventure being married to Dad. I’m sure that she knew how to do more tasks than most people. From dairy farming, beef farming, Honey (bee) farming, driving machinery, stooking bales, home care worker and who knows what all, but she could do it all. She was a very hard worker and would only take a break once a day at 3:00 in the afternoon. Why at that specific time you ask? This was because my mom had to see the next episode of “The Edge of Night”. (the Soap-opera of the day) . We all looked forward to this time as well because if Mom was going to stop working so were we. Down would go the garden hoes and off to the house! If they only knew how dedicated this fan was!
Mom was a gentle, thoughtful, loving woman, loved by all. She didn’t get angry often but if you stepped on her toes, look out! You knew that she was angry! Those eyes said it all.
Mom loved babies and if there was a baby in the room, it wouldn’t take long and it would be in her arms safe and sound and likely sleeping. She loved raising her own children and as the grandbabies began to come she was in all her glory. Mom loved her grandchildren and they loved her. One of our kids put it this way, “I don’t think that there was ever a more gentle and kind grandma around.” Just imagine her excitement when the Great Grandchildren started to arrive! More babies to hold!
As life went on Mom and Dad settled down in Morden, MB. They cared for Shirley at the start of her illness and Mom’s heart broke the day we moved Shirley to the care home. She found it very hard to see one of her “babies” go through what Shirley did. But when Shirley passed on, she was so excited knowing that Shirley was free and safe with Jesus.
Now, dearest Mommy, it is your turn to see Jesus and Shirley, Verna Marlene, and many others whose lives we know you have touched. We will miss your gentle touch, your words of encouragement, the soft eyes that said “I love you”, that feisty look that said “Don’t mess with my family!” and the many prayers that each of us knew you were saying for us. Oh how you will be missed.
These verses are for you Mom;
“Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. …a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned and let her works bring her praise at the City gate.” Proverbs 31:28 29, 30-31
There was one other thing that Mom loved to do and that was to swing! She could swing higher and faster than any of us and she would squeal and laugh like a school girl. I can picture her swinging and singing “I’ll fly away, oh glory, I’ll fly away!”
A special thankyou to the staff of Tabor Home for their exceptional care.