Peter Sawatzky

Peter Sawatzky passed away peacefully with his family by his side on January 15th, 2026 at the Portage District General Hospital at the age of 80 years.

Dad was born on July 16th, 1945 in Campo 55, Chihuahua, Mexico. He was the fourth child of eight children. The family lived a modest life in their Mennonite village called Halbstat where they farmed, went to the village school, and attended the village church. Life here was simple and neighbors were always there for each other. Dad grew up with a deep love for farming and hard physical work, qualities that shaped his life and career.

Dad’s faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour was very important to him and began at a young age. He declared his faith in Jesus Christ by being publicly baptized in the village Sommerfeld Church in May of 1967 by Bishop Abram Friesen.

In the fall of 1964 Dad’s eye caught sight of a young girl from Campo 51, by the name of Martha Hiebert. Their love for each other began and continued to flourish with weekend visits with the VW bug. Dad won her heart and they confirmed their commitment in marriage on September 24th, 1967. The first 21 years of their life were lived in Campo 51, Chihuahua, Mexico. Their lives were rooted in faith, family, and hard work as their children were born and raised. It was here that mom and dad made sure their children could attend the village school, church, and learn to help on the family farm. Along with grain farming and milking cows, dad was the Diesel Mechanic for people from near and far. Dad also believed in doing his part in participating in public office. He served as Reeve for the community of Santa Clara for many years.

Over the years, relatives came to visit mom and dad from Manitoba. Dad listened intently as they talked about their lives in Canada. Curiosity was getting the best of him so in 1982 it was time to go visit Manitoba. With much prayer and God’s direction they made the decision to move to MacGregor in 1988. Dad’s commitment to faith and family and the desire to have his children learn Christian values was what convicted him to make this move. Dad was a farmer at heart and realized that opportunities for his family in Mexico were limited. With the help of his cousins, which he liked to call his Canadian brothers and sisters, he received employment and was able to make a start in Canada. After a few years he was able to again work as a self-employed diesel mechanic and grain farmer.

Dad was a man of deep faith who believed in a gracious and forgiving God. He took on leadership roles in the church and abroad. He served as board member for the MacGregor Sommerfeld Mennonite Church, Rio Grande Bible Institute, The Gospel Message Radio Ministry and Canadian Food grains Bank.

Dad adored his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, cherishing every moment that he could spend with them. Mom and dad would always take time to attend church and school programs, graduations, baseball and hockey games, family camping trips, and other family activities. The annual family gatherings and family camping trips at Rivers were the highlights of the year. Mom and dad also loved to go fishing at Pyott’s West campground with friends and groups of grandchildren for many years. Dad also had a love for travelling, whether it was a short evening drive to check on the crops or to make a long road trip.

Travel included trips to visit relatives in Mexico, driving to Rio Grande to volunteer at their campus, picking up peaches in BC, and many other road trips, either by themselves or with travelling companions. They also experienced seeing the world from the ocean when they did a Sail n Sing cruise from Florida and Alaska.

His last main road trip was with all of his immediate family to Kentucky to experience the Creation Museum and Noah’s Ark Encounter. We are ever so grateful that we could fulfil this wish for mom and dad. Dad was amazed to see God’s creation wherever he went.

Dad’s health struggles began with prostate cancer in 2005. This eventually led to having his prostate removed in 2011. After this he received 33 radiation treatments. He continued with follow up treatments and tried to make good choices to improve his overall health. In the spring of 2024, a series of tests concluded he had congestive heart failure, which confirmed why he was feeling tired and weak most of the time. His cancer stayed in remission until the fall of 2025. On the morning of December 26th, he was taken to Portage General Hospital due to pneumonia infection where he fought hard to get better until his passing on January 15th.

Dad leaves to mourn his faithful and loving wife of 58 years, Martha. His children; Son Cornie (Cheryl) children Matthew (Leanne), Jason (Naomi), Rachel (Ryley), Nathanael (Adrienne), Caleb (Desiree). Son Ernest (Carol) children Justin (Monica), Sarah (Stuart), Jeremy (Brooke), Jesse (Heather), Shalyssa (Lance). Daughter Elma (Danny) children Rebecca (Jason), Ramona (Dwayne), Landin (Robbie), Leo (Raeanna). Daughter Esther (Larry) children Larissa (Kendall), Andrea (Kevin), Natalie, Kendall, Dale. Son John (Cora) children Brendan, Cody, Carson, Micah. Son Jake (Karen) children Kaleah (Ethan), Jillian, Tyson, Kelsie, Kyle, and 31 great-grandchildren. Sister-in-law (Maria), Brother Heinrich, Sister-in-law (Esther), sister-in-law (Elma) and step brother-in-law (John Wiebe), Brother Herman (Mary), Sister Anny (Ben Fehr). Dad also leaves behind many dear friends, relatives, and business acquaintances.

He was predeceased by his Parents Peter & Anna Sawatzky, Parents-in-law Johan & Maria Hiebert, Brother David, Sister Helena (Heinrich Voth), sister-in-law Agatha, Brother John, Brother Jacob, 3 brothers-in-law Ernst, Edward, Phillip Hiebert, 2 sisters-in-law Lena, Tina, 1 step sister-in-law Margareth, grandson Lyle, great-grandson Silas.

The family would like to thank the medical staff at Portage General Hospital for their compassionate care given to dad. Thank you for allowing us to spend as much time with dad as we could. Our sincerest thanks to Clarke’s Funeral Home for their kind, compassionate care.  And a huge thank you to family and friends for all the prayers, greetings, and visits we received, we appreciate your support very, very much. You sharing the load with us makes it easier to go through this difficult time.  As Dad would say, May God bless you for it.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7