Ruth L. (Phifer) Sawatzky
Obituary
Newton Kansan
Ruth L. (Phifer) Sawatzky, 96, died on
Wednesday (June 1, 2011) at Kidron Bethel Healthcare in North Newton.
She was born on Sept. 29, 1914, in
Stanbery, Wis., to Fred and Frances (Buchman) Phifer. At an early
age, she moved with her family to Minneapolis, Minn. Ruth graduated
from Central High School in Minneapolis in 1932. She attended
Northwestern Bible and Missionary Training School and completed two
years of instruction.
On Aug. 11, 1936, she married Victor
Sawatzky. As a pastor's wife, Ruth worked alongside her husband as he
pastored churches in Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas.
Survivors include two daughters,
Eleanor and Paul Wiebe of Fort Collins, Colo., and Phyllis and Ron
Friesen of Bluffton, Ohio; two sons, Sheldon and Marietta Sawatzky of
Taipei, Taiwan, and Winston "Tim" and Lela Mae Sawatzky of
North Newton; son-in-law, Martin Buhr of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada;
15 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her
husband, Victor; daughter, Pauline Buhr; brothers, Robert and
Clarence Phifer; and sisters, Ellen Elliott and Marjorie Wanha.
Graveside service will be at 2 p.m.
Tuesday at Restlawn Gardens of Memory in rural Newton. A memorial
service will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at First Mennonite Church in
Newton. Pastors Anita Kehr and Joan Boyer will preside.
Memorials may be left with Kidron
Bethel, First Mennonite Church or Mennonite Missions Network, in care
of the funeral home.
