ERICK SAWATZKY -

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ERICK SAWATZKY 1944 - 2007 Erick Sawatzky passed away on December 6, 2007 at the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba after a ten year battle with Parkinson's Disease and Multiple System Atrophy. Erick was born in Rosetown, Saskatchewan on November 15, 1944 and grew up in the Herschel Mennonite Church. Erick attended Rosthern Junior College to complete his high school studies. He was interested in church leadership in his youth and after studying at Canadian Mennonite Bible College in Winnipeg and graduating from the University of Saskatchewan, he pursued a Master's Degree at Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana. His studies prepared him to pastor in Hillsboro, Kansas and Regina, Saskatchewan. While Erick was the director of the Saskatoon Pastoral Institute and studying for his doctor of ministry degree at St. Stephen's College in Edmonton, Alberta, he was involved in prison ministry. In 1986, Erick accepted the call from Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary in Elkhart, Indiana to teach and direct the internship program, helping to prepare many students for church leadership. He taught at the seminary for 16 years and because of illness retired early. In 2004 Erick completed a dream of editing a book of essays by his colleagues reflecting on ministry. The book is entitled The Heart of the Matter: Pastoral Ministry in Anabaptist Perspective. In 2006 Erick moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba to be closer to family. Erick leaves many happy memories with his wife of 39 years, Beverley (Boldt); son Tyler (Angela Plank and Haley Bastin); and daughter Tamara Sawatzky (Reynold Friesen and Caleb). Erick was the youngest child of Peter P. and Katharina Sawatzky (both deceased). Those celebrating his life are Peter G. (Margaret), Jacob (Lena), Elsie Neufeldt (Bruno), Henry (Evelyn), William (Ruby), Werner (Louise), Edna Peters (John), sister-in-law Judy Bergen (Philip), many nieces and nephews across Canada and the United States, and cousins in Germany. Viewing will take place at Friends Funeral Service Monday, December 10 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. A celebration of Erick's life will be held at Bethel Mennonite Church, Winnipeg, on Tuesday, December 11 at 3:00 p.m. A private family interment will precede the celebration. A memorial service will also be held in Goshen, Indiana at a later date. Thank you to the Homecare Aids for the care given to Erick. Thank you to the many volunteer visitors, in both Goshen and Winnipeg, who spent time reading and visiting with Erick. Thank you also to the medical staff on 3 North at Grace Hospital, Winnipeg. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Company of 1000 , in care of of Mennonite Church Canada, www.mennonitechurch.ca. FRIENDS FUNERAL SERVICE 2146 Main Street, Winnipeg 339-5555

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Dec 08, 2007