Toots Sawatzky

Waiting for Jesus to relieve her from pain and declining health, on Monday, April 8, 2024 at the Altona Hospital, Getrude (Toots) Sawatzky peacefully went to heaven at the age of 90.  She was the youngest of 7 children.  She was predeceased by 4 brothers, 2 sisters, 1 son-in-law (Grant Heinrichs), 1 grandchild (Natalie Heinrichs), 2 great grandchildren (Deklyn and Wyatt Sawatzky).  

She leaves behind her beloved husband John and children Gloria, Valerie (Shaun), Emily (Ken), Tim (Pamela), and Mark (Irma) as well as 15 grandchildren and spouses, 28 great grandchildren, 2 sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.  

Toots was born on Dec. 6, 1933 on a farm in Edenburg.   She completed her elementary schooling (grade 8).  She married the love of her life, John Sawatzky on July 22, 1951.  They lived in Snow Lake for their first winter together where John worked in a gold mine and she worked as a waitress, which was her only paid job she ever had.  They loved life on the farm in Edenburg where they raised their 5 children.  When retired, they built a new house and moved to Altona.  In 2015 they moved to the Gardens on Tenth in Altona.  

She loved playing board games with the family.   She could be a tease, had a fiery determination, and was stubborn.  She was never afraid to voice her opinions. Hosting people was a love of hers.  Music was important to her as she got a piano at the age of 13 and played at home and in the Halbstadt church for many years.  She was incredibly generous and thrived on making meals for her family, relatives, church and friends and always had a table full of delicious and wide variety of cooking and baking served on her finest China dishes.  She loved farming, flowers and gardening.  Other loves included camping, fishing, farm animals, kittens, and puppies.  Travel was always important and encouraged to experience life in other areas and cultures of the world.  Toots loved to attend the children’s and grandchildren’s sports and school programs.   

Her love for the Lord was evident to all as was her love for her children and family.  Both she and John served the Lord in many areas in both the church and community, such as Sunday School, leadership (deacons) in the Halbstadt Church, volunteering for MDS in various locations, 13 short terms missions through MCC in Akron, Pennsylvania, and many, many years of volunteering at the local MCC Thrift Store.