Beatrice Virginia (Friesen) Sawatzky, 91, passed away in Corn, Oklahoma on
Saturday, Aug. 31, 2013, at the age of 91 years, three months and 24 days.
was born on May 7, 1922, in Owasso, Okla., to Dietrich W. and Agnes (Wohlgemuth) Friesen. Beatrice grew up in a Christian home and attended the First
Mennonite Church in Newton. She was baptized on May 28, 1939, by Rev. J.E.
Entz. Beatrice received her education in rural schools and graduated from
Newton High School in 1941. After graduation, she went to work at Woolworths in
Newton and later moved to Wichita, where she worked for Boeing Aircraft.
On Sept. 18, 1953, she married Edwin Sawatzky at First
Mennonite Church in Newton. Beatrice and Edwin enjoyed their life on the farm
near Corn, Okla., traveling and spending their winters in south Texas. Bea
loved to quilt, cook, garden and maintain a beautiful home and yard. She spent
countless hours volunteering at the Etc. Shop in Weatherford, Okla., the
Oklahoma MCC Sale, serving on the church catering committee and cooking for
church camps.
Beatrice is survived by two sisters-in-law, Donna Friesen of
Newton and Claudia "Bea" Friesen of Hilliard, Ohio, and a host of
nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Edwin; her
parents; two sisters, Faye Doyle and Bernice Harder; and four brothers,
Clifford Friesen, Levi Friesen, Virgil Friesen and Vernon Friesen.
Funeral services for Beatrice Virginia Friesen Sawatzky, will be held Sept. 3, 2013, in the Corn Mennonite Brethren Church of Corn, Okla., with Rev. Tim Sandy and Jim Sawatzky officiating. Burial followed in the Corn Mennonite Cemetery, south of Corn, Okla., under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home of Weatherford, Okla. Memorials may be made to Corn MB Church Catering.
